Stigma and family relationships of middle-aged gay men in recovery

Abstract

The primary objective of this study was to explore how middle-aged gay men in recovery cope with stigma and family relationships. For gay men, perceptions of acceptance of their sexual orientation and degree of social connectedness can play a role in their recovery from alcohol and substance use disorders. Yet gay men may have a more difficult time accessing certain family-level health resources because their families of origin may stigmatize, reject or silence them on account of their sexual orientation. Semi-structured interviews were used to explore how participants in recovery constructed and coped with their experiences of stigma, family relationships, and alcohol and substance use. Participants (30 gay men aged 50–64) completed a questionnaire and interview. We used constructivist Grounded Theory method and Minority Stress Theory as a theoretical framework to interpret the data. We identified the following themes: Internalization of Stigma, Changes in Coping Strategies, and Ongoing Stigma. Future research should explore how to incorporate familial support into gay men’s recovery, address ongoing internalized stigma, and develop a social response to stigma, rather than leaving it to individuals to confront on their own.

Problematic Smartphone Use and Its Associations with Sexual Minority Stressors, Gender Nonconformity, and Mental Health Problems among Young Adult Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Individuals in Taiwan

“…Sexual stigma from family members may manifest through familial negative attitudes and various negative behaviors of family members, including disdaining the sexual orientation of homosexuality or bisexuality and sexual orientation-related rejection and harassment [22][23][24]. LGB individuals may conceal their identity from their families to avoid familial stigmatizing treatment [52]; they may turn to sources outside their families for support regarding their sexual orientation, including online friends made through smartphones. LGB individuals who experience SOMs may feel insulted and unsafe; this feeling may manifest briefly and subtly.…”

The Role of the Family in Alcohol Use Disorder Recovery for Adults

“…One qualitative study of gay men in recovery examined familial and other social network influences on recovery. 63 Family and other social network factors cited as important to their recovery included acceptance of their sexual orientation and a sense of social connectedness. Conversely, although the men indicated that they continued to look to their families for support, many continued to experience family rejection of their sexual orientation and perceived this as a stressor that made recovery more difficult.…”

Relationships of familial sexual stigma and family support with internalized homonegativity among lesbian, gay and bisexual individuals: The mediating effect of self-identity disturbance and moderating effect of gender

“…Familial sexual stigma may manifest through a variety of negative attitudes and behaviors, including keeping silent about sexual orientation, sexual orientation-related rejection, bullying, and harassment [ 25 – 27 ]. Research has shown that familial sexual stigma not only contributes to negative health outcomes [ 25 , 26 ] but also hones the development of internalized homonegativity among LGB individuals [ 28 , 29 ]. LGB individuals may internalize the moral condemnation regarding sexual minorities they heard from their own family members and conceal their identity from their families of origin to avoid experiences of stigma [ 29 ].…”

“…Research has shown that familial sexual stigma not only contributes to negative health outcomes [ 25 , 26 ] but also hones the development of internalized homonegativity among LGB individuals [ 28 , 29 ]. LGB individuals may internalize the moral condemnation regarding sexual minorities they heard from their own family members and conceal their identity from their families of origin to avoid experiences of stigma [ 29 ]. Families’ negative reactions to coming out may also exacerbate LGB individuals’ internalized homonegativity [ 28 ].…”