TY - JOUR
T1 - Minority Stress Experiences in Committed Same-Sex Couple Relationships
AU - Rostosky, Sharon Scales
AU - Riggle, Ellen D.B.
AU - Gray, Barry E.
AU - Hatton, Roxanna L.
PY - 2007/8
Y1 - 2007/8
N2 - 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.
AB - 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.
KW - discrimination
KW - gay
KW - lesbian
KW - relationship
KW - social stress
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=34548852016&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=34548852016&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1037/0735-7028.38.4.392
DO - 10.1037/0735-7028.38.4.392
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:34548852016
SN - 0735-7028
VL - 38
SP - 392
EP - 400
JO - Professional Psychology: Research and Practice
JF - Professional Psychology: Research and Practice
IS - 4
ER -