Non-heterosexual orientations and relationships have long been the topic of psychological research. While much of this research has been harmful or lead to harmful results, including pseudoscience such as conversion therapy, some of it has been of interest or even useful to LGBT communities. The studies reviewed in this paper, as well as other referenced studies, investigated the effects of several minority stressors on the stability and quality of same-sex relationships in various sample populations. These minority stressors are the result of the homophobic society we live in and will continue to effect LGB people’s relationships until a drastic societal change is accomplished.
The three studies reviewed in this paper are: Relationship quality …show more content…
This is generally the result of growing up and living in a society that is homophobic and heteronormative (i.e. expecting and, to an extent, requiring all relationships to be between heterosexual men and women) in varying degrees of severity. In some cases, internalized homophobia is mitigated or worsened depending on whether a person is open about their sexual orientation or closeted, and how connected they are to LGB communities and resources. At the core of internalized homophobia as it affects intimate relationships are the unsubstantiated notions that LGB people are incapable of intimacy and the maintenance of healthy, lasting relationships (Meyer & Dean, …show more content…
With so many negative, homophobic influences in society, is it important that LGB people who suffer from mental illness have access to safe, effective healthcare from providers who are aware of and sensitive to the issues faced by non-heterosexual people. In fact, all three of the studies examined in this paper are intended for use by clinical psychologists and other mental health care providers. Balsam & Szymanski’s work on the influence of internalized homophobia on domestic violence is especially relevant to this, as it is important for healthcare professionals to be able to help clients identify and combat sources of self-blame they may feel in regards to their abuse. Alternatively, a woman with negative feelings about same-sex relationships may execute violence against her own partner or partners (Balsam,
The three studies reviewed in this paper are: Relationship quality …show more content…
This is generally the result of growing up and living in a society that is homophobic and heteronormative (i.e. expecting and, to an extent, requiring all relationships to be between heterosexual men and women) in varying degrees of severity. In some cases, internalized homophobia is mitigated or worsened depending on whether a person is open about their sexual orientation or closeted, and how connected they are to LGB communities and resources. At the core of internalized homophobia as it affects intimate relationships are the unsubstantiated notions that LGB people are incapable of intimacy and the maintenance of healthy, lasting relationships (Meyer & Dean, …show more content…
With so many negative, homophobic influences in society, is it important that LGB people who suffer from mental illness have access to safe, effective healthcare from providers who are aware of and sensitive to the issues faced by non-heterosexual people. In fact, all three of the studies examined in this paper are intended for use by clinical psychologists and other mental health care providers. Balsam & Szymanski’s work on the influence of internalized homophobia on domestic violence is especially relevant to this, as it is important for healthcare professionals to be able to help clients identify and combat sources of self-blame they may feel in regards to their abuse. Alternatively, a woman with negative feelings about same-sex relationships may execute violence against her own partner or partners (Balsam,