Same‐Sex Couple Perceptions of Family Support: A Consensual Qualitative Study

Abstract

Few studies have examined the family context in which same-sex couples negotiate their lives and relationships. Consensual qualitative research methods (Hill, Thompson, & Williams, 1997) were used to analyze 14 same-sex couples' conversations about family support. Couples perceived that their families are positively supportive, non-supportive, or ambivalent in their support. These perceptions led to positive or negative emotional reactions in the couple members and to specific coping. The majority of couples perceived that family support (or lack of support) had an effect on the quality of their couple relationship. No general or typical response strategies to lack of family of origin support emerged, suggesting a lack of models or norms for same-sex couples. The implications for psychotherapeutic interventions with same-sex couples are discussed.

The Intergenerational Relationships of Gay Men and Lesbian Women

“…A child's nonheterosexual identity has been shown to be associated with negative interactions with later life parents (D'Augelli, 2005); later life parents may be especially unable to accept their gay or lesbian child, or their child's partner, "because of the sociopolitical climate of their child-rearing years, when homosexuality was viewed as an unspeakable moral sin or a deep psychological pathology" (Savin-Williams & Cohen, 1996, p. 134). As evidence of this intergenerational strain, midlife to later life gay men and lesbian women appear to have fewer family confidants than heterosexuals (Balsam, Beauchaine, Rothblum, & Solomon, 2008;Dewaele, Cox, den Berghe, & Vinke, 2011;Grossman, D'Augelli, & hershberger, 2000;Rostosky et al, 2004) and tend to rank social support from friends as more consistent and important than support from family (Biblarz & Savci, 2010;Graham & Barnow, 2013;Kurdek, 2004Kurdek, , 2006Lyons, Pitts, & Grierson, 2013). …”

“Only in My Dreams Could Happen”- A Greek Gay Man’s Experience of Intimate Relationships in a Country that Has Just Passed a Same-Sex Union Law; a Qualitative Study Using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis

“…This reflects on previous research showing that many gay men lacking support from friends and family hide their sexual identity (Rostosky, et al, 2004;Veremis, 2013). Akis experience of emotions is concise to the findings of Flowers & Buston (2001) reporting that their participants experience is characterized by statements such as "defined by difference", "self-reflection and inner conflict", "alienation and isolation".…”

“…Peer and family pressure can create stressful situations when it comes to sexuality; many times gay men feel pressure and they are negatively criticized (Bader, 2009). They are forced to keep their sexual identity secret and they lack support from friends and family; as a result they don't have equal opportunities to openly express feelings and desires (Rostosky, et al, 2004). Gay men interviewed in a small town in the north of England talked about their experiences as adolescents realizing their homosexuality, characterized by statements such as "defined by difference", "self-reflection and inner conflict", "alienation and isolation", "living a lie", "telling others", and "wholeness and integrity" (Flowers & Buston, 2001).…”

“…Gay men interviewed in a small town in the north of England talked about their experiences as adolescents realizing their homosexuality, characterized by statements such as "defined by difference", "self-reflection and inner conflict", "alienation and isolation", "living a lie", "telling others", and "wholeness and integrity" (Flowers & Buston, 2001). Lack of family support brings out feelings of anger, emotional pain, and guilt which in turn affect forming of intimate and committed relationships (Rostosky, et al, 2004). This might be one of the reasons that gay couples' relationships differ as far as attitudes and practices goes (Adam, 2006).…”

Características sociodemográficas, bienestar subjetivo y homofobia en una muestra de hombres gay en tres ciudades chilenas

“…Se constata que, si bien las situaciones con mayor ocurrencia corresponden al ámbito público, aquellas que más impactan la vida de las personas encuestadas se sitúan en el ámbito privado (rechazo de su ambiente familiar). En este sentido, la familia lejos de ser un espacio de protección, contención y refuerzo de la autoestima, se convierte en una fuente de estrés proximal 49 .…”