Minority stress associated with living in a society that devalues homosexuality can significantly strain the physical and mental health of lesbian women. Factors such as social support may moderate this stressor-strain relationship. The experience of lesbian women in rural areas can be expected to differ from that of lesbian women in urban areas. For example, the gay and lesbian community and movement are generally smaller and less visible in rural areas than in urban areas. This implies that access to social support may be more difficult and some minority stressors may be more common for rural lesbian women. Yet, few studies of this population have been published. This study examines the following questions: 1) What are the minority stressors that rural lesbian women experience?, 2) How does the experience of minority stressors impact the well being of rural lesbian women?, 3) What role does social support play in the way in which rural lesbian women are exposed to, perceive and respond to minority stressors?, and 4) What additional factors, other than social support, are involved in the way in which rural lesbian women are exposed to, perceive and respond to minority stressors? Data are being collected from 20 self-identified lesbian women living in a rural region who were recruited through local organizations and snowball sampling. Each participant is completing a written survey and a face-to-face, semi-structured interview which elicit positive and stressful experiences associated with living as a lesbian in a rural area and assess social support and well being.
Learning Objectives: At the end of this session, participants will be able to 1) Name minority stressors experienced by rural lesbian women 2) Describe the impact of experience of minority stressors on the well being of rural lesbian women 3) Describe the role played by social support in the way in which rural lesbian women are exposed to, perceive and respond to minority stressors 4) Describe other factors that impact the way in which rural lesbian women are exposed to, perceive and respond to minority stressors
Keywords: Lesbian Health, Stress
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.