Relationship Quality and Domestic Violence in Women's Same-Sex Relationships: The Role of Minority Stress

2005 ◽  
Vol 29 (3) ◽  
pp. 258-269 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kimberly F. Balsam ◽  
Dawn M. Szymanski
Keyword(s):  
Domestic Violence ◽  
Relationship Quality ◽  
Minority Stress ◽  
Large Body ◽  
Internalized Homophobia ◽  
Bisexual Women ◽  
Same Sex ◽  
Bisexual Woman ◽  
And Bisexual

Despite a large body of literature addressing relationship quality and domestic violence in women's same-sex relationships, few studies have empirically examined how stress specific to living as a lesbian or bisexual woman might correlate with these relationship variables. Degree of outness, internalized homophobia, lifetime and recent experiences of discrimination, butch/femme identity, relationship quality, and lifetime and recent experiences of domestic violence were assessed in a sample of 272 predominantly European American lesbian and bisexual women. Lesbian and bisexual women were found to be comparable on most relationship variables. In bivariate analyses, minority stress variables (internalized homophobia and discrimination) were associated with lower relationship quality and both domestic violence perpetration and victimization. Outness and butch/femme identity were largely unrelated to relationship variables. Path analysis revealed that relationship quality fully mediated the relationship between internalized homophobia and recent domestic violence.

Experiences of minority stress among lesbian and bisexual women in Rwanda.

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 196-211
Author(s):  
Patricia Moreland ◽  
Rebecca White ◽  
Ellen D. B. Riggle ◽  
Darius Gishoma ◽  
Tonda L. Hughes
Keyword(s):  
Minority Stress ◽  
Bisexual Women ◽  
And Bisexual

Couple Interventions for Same-Sex Couples

2019 ◽  
pp. 97-114
Author(s):  
Christopher A. Pepping ◽  
W. Kim Halford ◽  
Anthony Lyons
Keyword(s):  
Minority Stress ◽  
Couple Therapy ◽  
Evidence Base ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Relationship Education ◽  
Heterosexual Couples ◽  
Same Sex ◽  
Same Sex Couples ◽  
Future Research Directions

This chapter reviews the emerging field of couple interventions for same-sex couples. It outlines the evidence base for couple relationship education and couple therapy based on research with heterosexual couples. It reviews data pertaining to relationship stability and relationship satisfaction of same-sex couples and also the similarities and differences in the predictors of relationship outcomes between heterosexual and same-sex couples. The differences suggest modifications are required, including addressing the role of external influences on couple functioning, the role of dyadic coping to buffer effects of minority stress, non-monogamous relationships, and managing disclosure of one’s relationship. Currently, there is modest uptake of couple services among same-sex couples, and this chapter offers suggestions to enhance the relevance and inclusivity of couple interventions. It concludes by proposing a number of future research directions, including examining the efficacy of couple interventions for same-sex couples and evaluating innovations to increase same-sex couples’ access to services.

scholarly journals Coming Out to Parents in Lesbian and Bisexual Women: The Role of Internalized Sexual Stigma and Positive LB Identity

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roberto Baiocco ◽  
Jessica Pistella ◽  
Mara Morelli
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Orientation ◽  
Coming Out ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Lesbian Women ◽  
Bisexual Women ◽  
Sexual Stigma ◽  
Positive Identity ◽  
And Bisexual ◽  
Internalized Sexual Stigma

The experience of “coming out” (CO) to parents is often a crucial event in the lives of lesbian and bisexual (LB) women, associated with lower internalized sexual stigma (ISS) and higher positive LB identity. Few studies have compared the experiences of LB women in the CO process. Rather, most prior research has either: (1) not addressed bisexuality or eliminated bisexual individuals from the analysis; (2) combined bisexual women and bisexual men in the same sexual orientation group; or (3) examined bisexual participants alongside lesbian women and gay men, using a single monolithic measure. Thus, the present research aimed at investigating the role of ISS and positive LB identity in inhibiting or encouraging CO to parents in a sample of 241 lesbian women (Mage = 27.61, SD = 7.19) and 186 bisexual women (Mage = 25.23, SD = 5.81), aged 18–40 years. Most participants reported that they had already revealed their sexual orientation to their mother (69%) and their father (52%). More lesbian women had CO to both their mother and their father than had bisexual women. These lesbian women reported lower levels of ISS and higher levels of LB positive identity relative to bisexual women. On average, CO to mothers occurred at age 20 (SD = 5.54), while CO to fathers occurred at age 22 (SD = 5.63). LB women did not differ in the average age of CO to mothers or fathers, or in parental reactions to CO. Finally, ISS was found to affect the process of CO to both parents via positive identity (bootstrapping estimate = −0.26, SE = 0.08, 95% CI = −0.43, 0.11), whereas sexual orientation was not found to moderate the path from ISS to CO to both parents. The present study contributes to our understanding of the differences between LB women when developing their sexual orientation, highlighting the relevance of a positive LB identity for CO to parents. Research and clinical implications and directions for future research are discussed.

scholarly journals What is the role of the community? Examining minority stress processes among gay and bisexual men.

2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
pp. 300-309 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brian Salfas ◽  
H. Jonathon Rendina ◽  
Jeffrey T. Parsons
Keyword(s):  
Minority Stress ◽  
Gay And Bisexual Men ◽  
Bisexual Men ◽  
And Bisexual

scholarly journals A Test of Feasibility and Acceptability of Online Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction for Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Women and Men at Risk for High Stress: Pilot Study

10.2196/15048 ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (8) ◽  
pp. e15048
Author(s):  
Jennifer M Jabson Tree ◽  
Joanne Gayle Patterson
Keyword(s):  
At Risk ◽  
Perceived Stress ◽  
Stress Reduction ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Minority Stress ◽  
High Stress ◽  
Bisexual Women ◽  
Pilot Studies ◽  
Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction ◽  
And Bisexual

Background In conservative and rural areas, where antidiscrimination laws do not exist, lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) people are at risk for excess stress arising from discrimination. Stress-reducing interventions delivered via innovative channels to overcome access barriers are needed. Objective This study aimed to investigate the feasibility and acceptability of online mindfulness-based stress reduction (OMBSR) with LGB people in Appalachian Tennessee at high risk for stress. Methods In 2 pilot studies involving pre-post test designs, participants completed 8 weeks of OMBSR, weekly activity logs, semistructured interviews, and surveys of perceived and minority stress. Results Overall, 24 LGB people enrolled in the study and 17 completed OMBSR. In addition, 94% completed some form of mindfulness activities daily, including meditation. Participants enjoyed the program and found it easy to use. Perceived stress (Cohen, perceived stress scale-10) decreased by 23% in women (mean 22.73 vs mean 17.45; t10=3.12; P=.01) and by 40% in men (mean 19.83 vs mean 12.00; t5=3.90; P=.01) between baseline and postprogram. Women demonstrated a 12% reduction in overall minority stress (Balsam, Daily Experiences with Heterosexism Questionnaire) from baseline to 12-week follow-up (mean 1.87 vs mean 1.57; t10=4.12; P=.002). Subscale analyses indicated that women’s stress due to vigilance and vicarious trauma decreased by 21% and 20%, respectively. Conclusions OMBSR may be a useful tool to help LGB people reduce general and minority-specific stress in socially conservative regions lacking antidiscrimination policies.

scholarly journals A Test of Feasibility and Acceptability of Online Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction for Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Women and Men at Risk for High Stress: Pilot Study (Preprint)

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer M Jabson Tree ◽  
Joanne Gayle Patterson
Keyword(s):  
At Risk ◽  
Perceived Stress ◽  
Stress Reduction ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Minority Stress ◽  
High Stress ◽  
Bisexual Women ◽  
Pilot Studies ◽  
Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction ◽  
And Bisexual

BACKGROUND In conservative and rural areas, where antidiscrimination laws do not exist, lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) people are at risk for excess stress arising from discrimination. Stress-reducing interventions delivered via innovative channels to overcome access barriers are needed. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to investigate the feasibility and acceptability of online mindfulness-based stress reduction (OMBSR) with LGB people in Appalachian Tennessee at high risk for stress. METHODS In 2 pilot studies involving pre-post test designs, participants completed 8 weeks of OMBSR, weekly activity logs, semistructured interviews, and surveys of perceived and minority stress. RESULTS Overall, 24 LGB people enrolled in the study and 17 completed OMBSR. In addition, 94% completed some form of mindfulness activities daily, including meditation. Participants enjoyed the program and found it easy to use. Perceived stress (Cohen, perceived stress scale-10) decreased by 23% in women (mean 22.73 vs mean 17.45; t10=3.12; P=.01) and by 40% in men (mean 19.83 vs mean 12.00; t5=3.90; P=.01) between baseline and postprogram. Women demonstrated a 12% reduction in overall minority stress (Balsam, Daily Experiences with Heterosexism Questionnaire) from baseline to 12-week follow-up (mean 1.87 vs mean 1.57; t10=4.12; P=.002). Subscale analyses indicated that women’s stress due to vigilance and vicarious trauma decreased by 21% and 20%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS OMBSR may be a useful tool to help LGB people reduce general and minority-specific stress in socially conservative regions lacking antidiscrimination policies.

scholarly journals Bisexual stereotypes apply differently by body size: An assessment of bisexual prototypicality, trait application, and body size

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Flora Oswald ◽  
Amanda champion ◽  
Devinder Singh Khera ◽  
Cory Pedersen
Keyword(s):  
Body Size ◽  
Person Perception ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Bisexual Men ◽  
Bisexual Women ◽  
Body Sizes ◽  
And Bisexual ◽  
Fat Bodies ◽  
The Relationship

We blend person perception work with queer appearance psychology to examine the relationship between body size and bisexuality. In an online survey (N= 472, Mage= 25.15, 63.8% women), we examined the specific traits associated with a range of computer-modelled bodies identified as bisexual. We found that average body sizes were perceived as most prototypical of both bisexual men and bisexual women, skinny and fat bodies were more associated with clusters of traits which contrast with common stereotypes about bisexuality. Additionally, we found that bisexual men were associated with increased masculinity and decreased femininity relative to bisexual women, and found a general, though nonsignificant trend such that bisexual men were perceived as having heightened androcentric desire relative to women. Finally, we found evidence for the role of typicality as a mediator of perceived prejudice; less prototypical bodies tended to be perceived as experiencing greater prejudice based on body size.

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