Interpersonal Experiences of Lesbians with their Parent’s: An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis

By : Elizabeth Thomas, Apoorva B

Page No: 251-258

Abstract
Research shows that traumatic experiences, stigmatization and minority stress can impact lesbian’s interpersonal relationship with their parents (Lasala, 2001). Objective: To explore the core interpersonal issues faced by lesbians in relation to their parents in India. Method: Phenomenological paradigm was used to study the experiences of the participant. Purposive sampling was used to select 8 self-identified lesbians from Bangalore. In depth interview was used to collect data and interpretative phenomenological analysis was used for data analysis. Results: The study found that lesbians experience stress during coming out phase. Parent’s usual reaction is to either deny their daughters sexuality or use violence to change them. Some participants experienced extreme criticalness and preoccupation with health risk from their parents. Some also reported use of religious dogmas by their parents to change them.

Authors :
Apoorva B : Assistant Professor — Department of Clinical Psychology, School of Allied Health Sciences, Manipal.
Elizabeth Thomas : Assistant Professor — Department of Psychology, Christ University, Bangalore