312
Views
1
CrossRef citations to date
0
Altmetric
Original Articles

Non-heterosexual women's experiences of informal social support: A qualitative metasynthesis

, &

References

  • Agneessens, F., Waege, H., & Lievens, J. (2006). Diversity in social support by role relations: A typology. Social Networks, 28(4), 427–441. doi:10.1016/j.socnet.2005.10.001
  • Almack, K., Seymour, J., & Bellamy, G. (2010). Exploring the impact of sexual orientation on experiences and concerns about end of life care and on bereavement for lesbian, gay and bisexual elders. Sociology, 44(5), 908–924. doi:10.1177/0038038510375739
  • Altman, I., & Taylor, D. A. (1973). Social penetration: The development of interpersonal relationships. New York, NY: Holt, Rinehart & Winston.
  • Aronson, J. (1998). Lesbians giving and receiving care: Stretching conceptualizations of caring and community. Women's Studies International Forum, 21(5), 505–519. doi:10.1016/S0277-5395(98)00065-X
  • Averett, P., & Jenkins, C. (2012). A review of the literature on older lesbians: Implications for education, practice, and research. Journal of Applied Gerontology, 31(4), 537–561. doi:10.1177/0733464810392555
  • Averett, P., Yoon, I., & Jenkins, C. (2011). Older lesbians: Experiences of aging, discrimination and resilience. Journal of Women & Aging, 23(3), 216–232. doi:10.1080/08952841.2011.587742
  • Balsam, K. F., & Mohr, J. J. (2007). Adaptation to sexual orientation stigma: A comparison of bisexual and lesbian/gay adults. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 54(3), 306. doi:10.1037/0022-0167.54.3.306
  • Baumeister, R. F., & Tice, D. M. (1990). Point-counterpoints: Anxiety and social exclusion. Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology, 9(2), 165–195. doi: 10.1521/jscp.1990.9.2.165
  • Beals, K. P., & Peplau, L. A. (2005). Identity support, identity devaluation and well-being among lesbians. Psychology of Women Quarterly, 29(2), 140–148. doi: 10.1111/j.1471-6402.2005.00176.x
  • Branscombe, N. R., Schmitt, M. T., & Harvey, R. D. (1999). Perceiving pervasive discrimination among African-Americans: Implications for group identification and well-being. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 77, 135–149. doi: 10.1037/0022-3514.77.1.135
  • Bridges, S. K., Selvidge, M., & Matthews, C. R. (2003). Lesbian women of color: Therapeutic issues and challenges. Journal of Multicultural Counseling and Development, 31(2), 113–130. doi:10.1002/j.2161-1912.2003.tb00537.x
  • Britten, N., Campbell, R., Pope, C., Donovan, J., Morgan, M., & Pill, R. (2002). Using meta ethnography to synthesise qualitative research: A worked example. Journal of Health Services Research & Policy, 7(4), 209–215. doi:10.1258/135581902320432732
  • Browne, K. (2003). Negotiations and fieldworking: Friendship and feminist research. ACME: An International Journal for Critical Geographers, 2(2), 132–146.
  • Browne, K. (2005). Snowball sampling: Using social networks to research non-heterosexual women. International Journal of Social Research Methodology, 8(1), 47–60. doi:10.1080/1364557032000081663
  • Buhrke, R. A., & Fuqua, D. R. (1987). Sex differences in same-and cross-sex supportive relationships. Sex Roles, 17(5–6), 339–352. doi:10.1007/BF00288457
  • Centre for Reviews and Dissemination. (2009). Systematic reviews: CRD's guidance for undertaking reviews in health care. York, England: University of York.
  • Cobb, S. (1976). Social support as a moderator of life stress. Psychosomatic Medicine, 38(5), 300–314.
  • Cohen, S. (2004). Social relationships and health. American Psychologist, 59, 676–84. doi:10.1037/0003-066X.59.8.676
  • Comerford, S. A., Henson-Stroud, M. M., Sionainn, C., & Wheeler, E. (2004). Crone songs: Voices of lesbian elders on aging in a rural environment. Affilia, 19(4), 418–436. doi:10.1177/0886109904268874
  • Degges-White, S. (2012). Lesbian friendships: An exploration of lesbian social support networks. Adultspan Journal, 11(1), 16–26. doi:10.1002/j.2161-0029.2012.00002.x
  • Dewaele, A., Cox, N., Van den Berghe, W., & Vincke, J. (2011). Families of choice? Exploring the supportive networks of lesbians, gay men, and bisexuals. Journal of Applied Social Psychology, 41(2), 312–331. doi:10.1111/j.1559-1816.2010.00715.x
  • Diamond, L. M. (2002). “Having a girlfriend without knowing it”: Intimate friendships among adolescent sexual-minority women. Journal of Lesbian Studies, 6(1), 5–16. doi:10.1300/J155v06n01_02
  • Diamond, L. M. (2003a). Was it a phase? Young women's relinquishment of lesbian/bisexual identities over a 5-year period. Psychological Review, 84(2), 352–364. doi: 10.1037/0022-3514.84.2.352
  • Diamond, L. M. (2003b). What does sexual orientation orient? A biobehavioral model distinguishing romantic love and sexual desire. Psychological Review, 110(1), 173–192. doi:10.1037/0033-295X.110.1.173
  • Dorfman, R., Walters, K., Burke, P., Hardin, L., Karanik, T., Raphael, J., & Silverstein, E. (1995). Old, sad and alone: The myth of the aging homosexual. Journal of Gerontological Social Work, 24(1/2), 29–44. doi:10.1300/J083V24N01_04
  • Elkins, L. E., & Peterson, C. (1993). Gender differences in best friendships. Sex Roles, 29(7–8), 497–508. doi:10.1007/BF00289323
  • Elliott, R., Fischer, C. T., & Rennie, D. L. (1999). Evolving guidelines for publication of qualitative research studies in psychology and related fields. British Journal of Clinical Psychology, 38(3), 215–229. doi:10.1348/014466599162782
  • Fenge, L. A., & Hicks, C. (2011). Hidden lives: The importance of recognising the needs and experiences of older lesbians and gay men within healthcare practice. Diversity in Health and Care, 8(3), 147–154.
  • Finfgeld, D. L. (2003). Metasynthesis: The state of the art—so far. Qualitative Health Research, 13(7), 893–904. doi:10.1177/1049732303253462
  • Fingerhut, A. W. (2011). Straight allies: What predicts heterosexuals' alliance with the LGBT community? Journal of Applied Social Psychology, 41(9), 2230–2248. doi:10.1111/j.1559-1816.2011.00807.x
  • Gabrielson, M. L. (2011). “We have to create family”: Aging support issues and needs among older lesbians. Journal of Gay & Lesbian Social Services, 23(3), 322–334. doi:10.1080/10538720.2011.562803
  • Galupo, M. P. (2007). Women's close friendships across sexual orientation: A comparative analysis of lesbian-heterosexual and bisexual-heterosexual women's friendships. Sex Roles, 56(7–8), 473–482. doi:10.1007/s11199-007-9186-4
  • Galupo, M. P., Sailer, C. A., & St. John, S. C. (2004). Friendships across sexual orientations: Experiences of bisexual women in early adulthood. Journal of Bisexuality, 4(1–2), 37–53. doi:10.1300/J159v04n01_04
  • Galupo, M. P., & St. John, S. (2001). Benefits of cross-sexual orientation friendships among adolescent females. Journal of Adolescence, 24(1), 83–93. doi:10.1006/jado.2000.0364
  • Gamson, J. (2000). Sexualities, queer theory, and qualitative research. Handbook of Qualitative Research, 2, 347–365.
  • Glass, V. Q., & Few-Demo, A. L. (2013). Complexities of informal social support arrangements for Black lesbian couples. Family Relations, 62(5), 714–726. doi:10.1111/fare.12036
  • Gottlieb, B. H. (1985). Social networks and social support: An overview of research, practice, and policy implications. Health Education & Behavior, 12(1), 5–22. doi:10.1177/109019818501200102
  • Haber, M. G., Cohen, J. L., Lucas, T., & Baltes, B. B. (2007). The relationship between self-reported received and perceived social support: A meta-analytic review. American Journal of Community Psychology, 39(1–2), 133–144. doi:10.1007/s10464-007-9100-9
  • Hash, K. M., & Netting, F. E. (2009). It takes a community: Older lesbians meeting social and care needs. Journal of Gay & Lesbian Social Services, 21(4), 326–342. doi:10.1080/10538720802497910
  • Herek, G. M., & Capitanio, J. P. (1996). “Some of my best friends”: Intergroup contact, concealable stigma, and heterosexuals' attitudes toward gay men and lesbians. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 22, 412–424. doi:10.1177/0146167296224007
  • Herek, G. M., Gillis, J. R., & Cogan, J. C. (2009). Internalized stigma among sexual minority adults: Insights from a social psychological perspective. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 56(1), 32. doi:10.1037/a0014672
  • Hogan, B. E., Linden, W., & Najarian, B. (2002). Social support interventions: Do they work? Clinical Psychology Review, 22(3), 381–440. doi:10.1016/S0272-7358(01)00102-7
  • Hudak, J., & Giammattei, S. V. (2014). Doing family: Decentering heteronormativity in “marriage” and “family” therapy. In T. Nelson & H. Winawer (Eds.), Critical topics in family therapy (pp. 105–115). New York, NY: Springer International Publishing.
  • Igartua, K. J., Gill, K., & Montoro, R. (2003). Internalized homophobia: A factor in depression, anxiety, and suicide in the gay and lesbian population. Canadian Journal of Community Mental Health, 22(2), 15–30. doi:10.7870/cjcmh-2003-0011
  • Impett, E. A., Sorsoli, L., Schooler, D., Henson, J. M., & Tolman, D. L. (2008). Girls' relationship authenticity and self-esteem across adolescence. Developmental Psychology, 44(3), 722. doi:10.1037/0012-1649.44.3.722
  • Jensen, L. A., & Allen, M. N. (1996). Meta-synthesis of qualitative findings. Qualitative Health Research, 6(4), 553–560. doi:10.1177/104973239600600407
  • Johnson, K., Faulkner, P., Jones, H., & Welsh, E. (2007). Understanding suicide and promoting survival in LGBT communities. Brighton, England: Brighton & Sussex Community Knowledge Exchange Project.
  • Jones, T. C., & Nystrom, N. M. (2002). Looking back… looking forward: Addressing the lives of lesbians 55 and older. Journal of Women & Aging, 14(3–4), 59–76. doi:10.1300/J074v14n03_05
  • Jorm, A. F., Korten, A. E., Rodgers, B., Jacomb, P. A., & Christensen, H. (2002). Sexual orientation and mental health: Results from a community survey of young and middle-aged adults. The British Journal of Psychiatry, 180(5), 423–427. doi:10.1192/bjp.180.5.423
  • Kahn, M. J. (1991). Factors affecting the coming out process for lesbians. Journal of Homosexuality, 21(3), 47–70. doi:10.1300/J082v21n03_03
  • Katz, J. (1995). Gay American history: Lesbians and gay men in the United States. New York, NY: Thomas Crowell.
  • Kawachi, I., & Berkman, L. F. (2001). Social ties and mental health. Journal of Urban Health: Bulletin of the New York Academy of Medicine, 78(3), 458–467.
  • Knauer-Turner, E. (2015). Sexual minorities' internalized homophobia, experience of heterosexism, and use of humor (Doctoral dissertation). Published online on ProQuest Dissertations & Theses database, accession number 3662297. University of La Verne, California.
  • Kowen, D., & Davis, J. (2006). Opaque young lives: Experiences of lesbian youth. Agenda, 20(67), 80–92. doi:10.1080/10130950.2006.9674701
  • Krieger, S. (1982). Lesbian identity and community: Recent social science literature. Signs, 91–108. doi:10.1086/493944
  • Kwon, P. (2013). Resilience in lesbian, gay, and bisexual individuals. Personality and Social Psychology Review, 17(4), 371–383. doi:10.1177/1088868313490248
  • LaSala, M. C. (2003). When interviewing “family”: Maximizing the insider advantage in the qualitative study of lesbians and gay men. In W. Meezan & J. I. Martin (Eds.), Research methods with gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender populations (pp. 15–30). New York: Harrington Park Press.
  • Lakey, B., & Drew, J. B. (1997). A social-cognitive perspective on social support. In G. R. Pierce, B. Lakey, I. G. Sarason, & B. R. Sarason (Eds.), Sourcebook of social support and personality (pp. 107–140). New York, NY: Plenum Press.
  • Leary, M. R. (1990). Responses to social exclusion: Social anxiety, jealousy, loneliness, depression, and low self-esteem. Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology, 9(2), 221–229. doi:10.1521/jscp.1990.9.2.221
  • Leff, J., & Warner, R. (2006). Social inclusion of people with mental illness. Cambridge, England: Cambridge University Press.
  • Lehavot, K., & Simoni, J. M. (2011). The impact of minority stress on mental health and substance use among sexual minority women. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 79(2), 159. doi:10.1037/a0022839
  • Lincoln, K. D. (2000). Social support, negative social interactions, and psychological well-being. Social Service Review, 74(2), 231–252. doi:10.1086/514478
  • Ma, N., Roberts, R., Winefield, H., & Furber, G. (2015). Utility of qualitative metasynthesis: Advancing knowledge on the wellbeing and needs of siblings of children with mental health problems. Qualitative Psychology, 2(1), 3–28. doi:10.1037/qup0000018
  • Masini, B. E., & Barrett, H. A. (2008). Social support as a predictor of psychological and physical well-being and lifestyle in lesbian, gay, and bisexual adults aged 50 and over. Journal of Gay & Lesbian Social Services, 20(1–2), 91–110. doi:10.1080/10538720802179013
  • Masters, W. H., Johnson, V. E., & Kolodny, R. C. (1992). Human sexuality. New York, NY: Harper Collins Publishers.
  • McCarthy, L. (2000). Poppies in a wheat field: Exploring the lives of rural lesbians. Journal of Homosexuality, 39(1), 75–94. doi:10.1300/J082v39n01_05
  • Meyer, I. (1995). Minority stress and mental health in gay men. Journal of Health and Social Behavior, 38–56. doi:10.2307/2137286
  • Meyer, I. (2003). Prejudice, social stress, and mental health in lesbian, gay, and bisexual populations: Conceptual issues and research evidence. Psychological Bulletin, 129, 674–697. doi:10.1037/0033-2909.129.5.674
  • Miller, M., André, A., Ebin, J., & Bessonova, L. (2007). Bisexual health: An introduction and model practices for HIV/STI prevention programming. New York, NY: National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Policy Institute, the Fenway Institute at Fenway Community Health, and BiNet USA.
  • Miller, S. (1983). Men and friendship. Boston, MA: Houghton Mifflin.
  • Nesmith, A. A., Burton, D. L., & Cosgrove, T. J. (1999). Gay, lesbian, and bisexual youth and young adults: Social support in their own words. Journal of Homosexuality, 37(1), 95–108. doi:10.1300/J082v37n01_07
  • Noblit, G., & Hare, R. (1988). Meta-ethnography: Synthesizing qualitative studies. Newbury Park, CA: Sage.
  • O'Boyle, C. G., & Thomas, M. D. (1996). Friendships between lesbian and heterosexual women. In J. S. Weinstock & E. D. Rothblum (Eds.), Lesbian friendships: For ourselves and each other. The cutting edge: Lesbian life and literature (pp. 240–248). New York, NY: New York University Press.
  • O'Connor, P. (1992). Friendships between women: A critical review. New York, NY: Harvester-Wheatsheaf.
  • Oswald, R. F. (2000). Family and friendship relationships after young women come out as bisexual or lesbian. Journal of Homosexuality, 38(3), 65–83. doi:10.1300/J082v38n03_04
  • Peplau, L. (2003). Human sexuality: How do men and women differ? Current Directions in Psychological Science, 12(2), 37–40. doi:10.1111/1467-8721.01221
  • Public Health Resource Unit. (2006). Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP): Making sense of evidence, 10 questions to help you make sense of qualitative research. Retrieved from http://media.wix.com/ugd/dded87_29c5b002d99342f788c6ac670e49f274.pdf
  • Rawlins, W. K. (2009). The compass of friendship: Narratives, identities, and dialogues. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
  • Richard, C. A., & Brown, A. H. (2006). Configurations of informal social support among older lesbians. Journal of Women & Aging, 18(4), 49–65. doi: 10.1300/J074v18n04_05
  • Sandelowski, M., Docherty, S., & Emden, C. (1997). Focus on qualitative methods. Qualitative metasynthesis: issues and techniques. Research in Nursing and Health, 20, 365–372. doi:10.1002/(SICI)1098-240X(199708)20:4<365::AID-NUR9>3.0.CO;2-E
  • Schilling, R. F. (1987). Limitations of social support. Social Service Review, 61(1), 19–31. doi:10.1086/644416
  • Schreiber, R., Crooks, D., & Stern, P. N. (1997). Qualitative meta-analysis. In J. M. Morse (Ed.), Completing a qualitative project: Details and dialogue (pp. 311–326). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
  • Schrimshaw, E. W., Siegel, K., Downing, M. J., Jr., & Parsons, J. T. (2013). Disclosure and concealment of sexual orientation and the mental health of non-gay-identified, behaviorally bisexual men. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 81(1), 141. doi:10.1037/a0031272
  • Shidlo, A. (1994). Internalized homophobia: Conceptual and empirical issues in measurement. In B. Greene & G. M Herek (Eds.), Lesbian and gay psychology: Theory, research, and clinical applications. Psychological perspectives on lesbian and gay issues, vol. 1 (pp. 176–205). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
  • St. Pierre, M. (2012). Under what conditions do lesbians disclose their sexual orientation to primary healthcare providers? A review of the literature. Journal of Lesbian Studies, 16(2), 199–219. doi:10.1080/10894160.2011.604837
  • Stanley, J. L. (1996). The lesbian's experience of friendship. In J. S. Weinstock & E. D. Rothblum (Eds.), Lesbian friendships: For ourselves and each other. The cutting edge: Lesbian life and literature (pp. 39–59). New York, NY: New York University Press.
  • Stanley, J. L. (2002). Young sexual minority women's perceptions of cross-generational friendships with older lesbians. Journal of Lesbian Studies, 6(1), 139–148. doi: 10.1300/J155v06n01_13
  • Takács, J. (2006). Social exclusion of young lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) people in Europe. Brussels, Belgium: ILGA/IGLYO.
  • Thoits, P. A. (2011). Mechanisms linking social ties and support to physical and mental health. Journal of Health and Social Behavior, 52, 145. doi: 10.1177/0022146510395592
  • Thomas, J., & Harden, A. (2008). Methods for the thematic synthesis of qualitative research in systematic reviews. BMC Medical Research Methodology, 8(1), 45. doi: 10.1186/1471-2288-8-45
  • Tufford, L., & Newman, P. (2012). Bracketing in qualitative research. Qualitative Social Work, 11(1), 80–96. doi:10.1177/1473325010368316
  • Umberson, D., & Montez, J. K. (2010). Social relationships and health: A flashpoint for health policy. Journal of Health and Social Behavior, 51, 54–66. doi: 10.1177/0022146510383501
  • Valentine, G. (1993). Desperately seeking Susan: A geography of lesbian friendships. Area, 25(2), 109–116.
  • van Dam, H. A., van der Horst, F. G., Knoops, L., Ryckman, R. M., Crebolder, H. F., & van den Borne, B. H. (2005). Social support in diabetes: A systematic review of controlled intervention studies. Patient Education and Counseling, 59(1), 1–12. doi:10.1016/j.pec.2004.11.001
  • Vaux, A. (1988). Social support: Theory, research, and intervention. New York, NY: Praeger.
  • Veiel, H. O. F., & Baumann, U. (2013). The many meanings of social support. In H. O. F. Veiel & U. Baumann (Eds.), The meaning and measurement of support (pp. 2–8). New York, NY: Routledge.
  • Wang, X. (2014). Subjective well-being associated with size of social network and social support of elderly. Journal of Health Psychology, 21(6), 1037–1042. doi: 10.1177/1359105314544136
  • Weinstock, J. S., & Bond, L. A. (2002). Building bridges: Examining lesbians' and heterosexual women's close friendships with each other. Journal of Lesbian Studies, 6(1), 149–161. doi:10.1300/J155v06n01_14
  • Weston, K. (1991). Families we choose: Lesbians, gays, kinship. New York, NY: Columbia University Press.
  • Wiggins, M., Oakley, A., Roberts, I., Turner, H., Rajan, L., Austerberry, H., … Barker, M. (2005). Postnatal support for mothers living in disadvantaged inner city areas: A randomised controlled trial. Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, 59(4), 288–295. doi: 10.1136/jech.2004.021808
  • Williams, K. D. (2001). Ostracism: The power of silence. New York, NY: Guilford Press.
  • Wisker, G. (2005). The good supervisor: Supervising postgraduate and undergraduate research for doctoral theses and dissertations. Basingstoke, UK: Palgrave MacMillan.
  • Wright, P. H., & Scanlon, M. B. (1991). Gender role orientations and friendship: Some attenuation, but gender differences abound. Sex Roles, 24(9–10), 551–566. doi: 10.1007/BF00288413
  • Zimet, G. D., Dahlem, N. W., Zimet, S. G., & Farley, G. K. (1988). The multidimensional scale of perceived social support. Journal of Personality Assessment, 52(1), 30–41. doi:10.1207/s15327752jpa5201_2

Reprints and Corporate Permissions

Please note: Selecting permissions does not provide access to the full text of the article, please see our help page How do I view content?

To request a reprint or corporate permissions for this article, please click on the relevant link below:

Academic Permissions

Please note: Selecting permissions does not provide access to the full text of the article, please see our help page How do I view content?

Obtain permissions instantly via Rightslink by clicking on the button below:

If you are unable to obtain permissions via Rightslink, please complete and submit this Permissions form. For more information, please visit our Permissions help page.