Investigating Daily Stressors Among Lesbian Women

Description/Abstract/Artist Statement

Sexual minority stressors (SMS; i.e., unique and hostile stressors resulting from identity) commonly occur to sexual minority individuals (e.g., gay, lesbian, or bisexual) due to discrimination and stigma, but research is relatively little on these experiences in daily life. However, not all sexual minority experiences are negative. Previous research investigated positive and negative experiences among sexual minority men and women but studying these experiences among lesbian women specifically and considering how the questions are asked is needed. The purpose of this study was to: (1) report rates of daily positive and negative experiences related to sexual identity in lesbian women, and (2) investigate how reports of daily SMS differ based on how the question was asked. Same-sex female couples (N=321 participants, ages 18-35) were recruited online and completed surveys for 14 days. Each morning participants completed measures of positive and negative events related to being a sexual minority and were asked about specific SMS experiences. Results for Aim 1 reported positive experiences on 18% of days and negative experiences on 5% of days. Results from Aim 2 showed when questions were asked generally about SMS participants reported experience on 5% of days, but when asked about specific experiences, they reported an SMS on 20% of days. Expanding past research, this study assessed positive and negative daily minority experiences among lesbian women. Experiences differed based on question type, such that there were more negative experiences reported when specific questions were asked. Future research and limitations will be discussed.

Presenting Author Name/s

Lauren V. Butler and Jazmine A. Craig

Faculty Advisor/Mentor

Kristin E. Heron

Presentation Type

Poster

Disciplines

Clinical Psychology | Multicultural Psychology

Session Title

Poster Session

Location

Learning Commons, Atrium

Start Date

2-8-2020 8:00 AM

End Date

2-8-2020 12:30 PM

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Feb 8th, 8:00 AM Feb 8th, 12:30 PM

Investigating Daily Stressors Among Lesbian Women

Learning Commons, Atrium

Sexual minority stressors (SMS; i.e., unique and hostile stressors resulting from identity) commonly occur to sexual minority individuals (e.g., gay, lesbian, or bisexual) due to discrimination and stigma, but research is relatively little on these experiences in daily life. However, not all sexual minority experiences are negative. Previous research investigated positive and negative experiences among sexual minority men and women but studying these experiences among lesbian women specifically and considering how the questions are asked is needed. The purpose of this study was to: (1) report rates of daily positive and negative experiences related to sexual identity in lesbian women, and (2) investigate how reports of daily SMS differ based on how the question was asked. Same-sex female couples (N=321 participants, ages 18-35) were recruited online and completed surveys for 14 days. Each morning participants completed measures of positive and negative events related to being a sexual minority and were asked about specific SMS experiences. Results for Aim 1 reported positive experiences on 18% of days and negative experiences on 5% of days. Results from Aim 2 showed when questions were asked generally about SMS participants reported experience on 5% of days, but when asked about specific experiences, they reported an SMS on 20% of days. Expanding past research, this study assessed positive and negative daily minority experiences among lesbian women. Experiences differed based on question type, such that there were more negative experiences reported when specific questions were asked. Future research and limitations will be discussed.