Exploring Rural Appalachian LGBTQ+ Wellness: Conceptualizing Through the IS-WEL Wellness Lens and Narrative Inquiry

Rural Appalachian LGBTQ+ individuals experience many challenges and protective factors at the intersection of their LGBTQ+, Appalachian, and rural identities. A recent rise in anti-LGBTQ+ legislation in Appalachian states highlights the continued need to prepare counselors to support and advocate for rural Appalachian LGBTQ+ clients. As wellness is central to the counseling profession, the first manuscript of this dissertation explores current research and conceptualizes rural Appalachian LGBTQ+ experiences through the Indivisible Self (IS-WEL; Myers & Sweeney, 2008) wellness lens and discusses implications for counseling practice and client advocacy. Research also is needed to explore wellness within this population to better understand how counselors can support clients and advocate for their wellness. The second manuscript of this dissertation describes a narrative inquiry study that explored RAL wellness experiences through qualitative interviews focused on the intersectionality of rural and Appalachian cultures, and LGBTQ+ orientation and how these intersections influence meaning-making and impact overall wellness. Results of this research describes the findings of reflexive thematic analysis through multivocal vignettes and provides implications for wellness research, counseling practices, and client advocacy.