Minority stress experiences in committed same-sex couple relationships.

Abstract

Providing culturally competent services to same-sex couples requires an understanding of the social context in which these relationships are formed and maintained. Using minority stress theory (I. H. Meyer, 2003) as an interpretive framework, the authors conducted a dyadic-level qualitative analysis of 40 (20 female; 20 male) couples' conversations about their committed partnerships. Findings indicate that couples experience minority stress as they interact with their family members, coworkers, and communities. In response to stressors, couples use coping strategies that include reframing negative experiences, concealing their relationship, creating social support, and affirming self and partnership. Recommendations for practitioners based on these findings include assessing minority stress, facilitating coping, and taking a critical stance toward policies that perpetuate social stigma and chronic stress.

Psychological distress, well-being, and legal recognition in same-sex couple relationships.

“…Although there are few restrictions on the civil opportunities for heterosexual marriage, same-sex couples have far fewer opportunities for legal recognitions of their relationships. Also, same-sex couple relationships are created and maintained in a stigmatizing macro-environmental context that contributes to minority stress and the lack of social support (e.g., Oswald, Goldberg, Kuvalanka, & Clausell, 2008;Rostosky, Riggle, Gray, & Hatton, 2007).…”

Resilience in Same-Sex-Parented Families: The Lived Experience of Adults with Gay, Lesbian, or Bisexual Parents

“…Families headed by same-sex parents are a minority group that face adversity stemming from the homophobic and heterocentric attitudes permeating society (Rostosky, Riggle, Gray & Hatton, 2007). Despite these challenges, and in contrast to the assumptions and stereotypes that tend to be associated with gay male, lesbian and bisexual parents, there are no reported significant differences in a range of areas between children of same-sex parents and those raised in more traditional heterosexual parented families (Milbank, 2003), thus highlighting the resilience of this group.…”

“…The extent and nature of this adversity differed greatly, and is not clearly illuminated by the literature (Rostosky et al, 2007). Although anecdotal evidence of bullying (Van Dam, 2004) does not necessarily match empirical evidence (Rivers, Poteat & Noret, 2008), the instances of being excluded from friendships or peer groups due to parental sexuality and even severe physical violence cannot be ignored.…”

“…From an ecological perspective, individuals who identify as gay, lesbian or bisexual exist in a macro-environmental context which contributes to minority stress and creates additional challenges and lessening social support (Riggle, Rostosky & Horne, 2010). "Minority stress" is defined by Rostosky, Riggle, Gray and Hatton (2007) as chronic social stress that results from belonging to a stigmatized social category and is additional to the general stressors of everyday life. Rostosky and colleagues postulate that when applied to the LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) community, the minority stress model is composed of; experiences of discrimination, hiding and concealing their identities, dealing with internalized homophobia and developing coping strategies.…”

“…Participants also perceived homophobia as stemming from ignorance, and they sometimes even expressed pity for people who held homophobic attitudes. The ability to ignore, dismiss and devalue homophobic reactions is an adaptive coping mechanism facilitating resilience (Rostosky et al, 2007).…”