Summarize the Coleman's Five-Stage Model of the Coming Out Process

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The Answer is Coleman synthesized a five-stage model of coming out from several models. He views the process as a sequential one, although he stated that not all individuals follow the process in a linear fashion. A person may remain in one particular stage or may be working on two stages simultaneously. The process can be activated at any time during the life cycle.
Pre-coming out is the initial stage in Coleman's model. The central component of this stage is the idea that homosexual feelings are pre-conscious, although feelings of "differentness" may be in the awareness of the individual. Coleman stated that this awareness prompts arousal of defense mechanisms in order to allay what is felt to be the inevitable crisis that same-sex sexual feelings would present. While an individual may remain in this stage throughout his or her entire life, Coleman felt that to do so would be at a cost to psychological and interpersonal well-being. On the other hand, the individual may precipitate the crisis and resolve the task of this stage.
Precipitation of the identity crisis prompts the second stage, coming out. Self-acknowledgment of homosexual feelings represents this psychological milestone. The acknowledgment prompts cognitive dissonance in the individual as he begins to identify with and compare and contrast self-perceptions with his knowledge of gay orientation. Coleman indicated that commonly this stage is experienced in adolescence (ages 13 to 18). Self-acceptance begins, according to Coleman, with the acknowledgment of homosexual feelings to others. The disclosure is important in seeking validation and social support. The reaction of a confidant is crucial in shaping a positive self-image. Disclosure also represents a leap in the learning process for intimate relationships.
A period of exploration marks the next milestone in the coming out process. The tasks in this stage are to develop interpersonal skills to socialize, develop a sense of "personal attractiveness and sexual competence," and to derive self-esteem from other self-aspects other than sexual conquest. This stage represents a beginning of acculturation into the gay community. Coleman described this stage as one that includes a great deal of experimentation.
Experiences in assimilation into gay culture may lead to the next stage, first relationships. Coleman posited that this stage is one that represents the search for intimacy with another person. The task is to learn to function in a same-sex relationship. Coleman described relationships in this stage as commonly tumultuous and at times "disastrous." Relationships in this stage may not represent true intimacy due to a "stereotyped" notion of a gay or lesbian relationship. He also indicates a lack of a consolidated positive identity as a difficulty involved in these relationships.
The final marker in the coming out process is integration. A positive gay or lesbian identity is achieved as it is integrated with other personality elements of the individual. The individual may feel free to attend to other life tasks. Coleman suggested that helping responses to gay and lesbian clients dealing with the coming out process be focused on assisting the client to negotiate and achieve the emotional, cognitive, and behavioral stage-related tasks. Although Coleman claimed that his model is not a linear process, the process appears to be epigenetic, with each stage built on the previous one. The model requires that each stage increases the integration of a positive identity and that identity integration at higher levels of the model is contingent upon completion of lower level tasks. The result of the process is a consolidation of identity in which being gay is a central component.

Summarize the Coleman's Five-Stage Model of the Coming Out Process

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