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Bowling J, Dodge B, Banik S, Bartelt E, Mengle S, Guerra-Reyes L, Hensel D, Herbenick D, Anand V. Social support relationships for sexual minority women in Mumbai, India: a photo elicitation interview study. Cult Health Sex 2018; 20:183-200. [PMID: 28664771 DOI: 10.1080/13691058.2017.1337928] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Little research exists on women who do not identify as heterosexual in India. Social support for sexual minority women may protect against the effects of discrimination. An examination of significant social relationships may point to both strengths and weaknesses in this support. We aimed to understand relationship prioritisation and communication patterns associated with the social support of sexual minority women in Mumbai. In partnership with the Humsafar Trust, India's oldest and largest sexual and gender minority-advocacy organisation, we conducted photo-elicitation interviews with 18 sexual minority women, using participants' photographs to prompt dialogue about their social support. Intimate partners were a source of dependable support and many of those without relationships were seeking them. Participants' extended networks included friends and family as well as less formal relationships of social support. Participants mediated their communication with particular social network members, which involved filtering information sexual identity, romantic interests, and personal aspirations, among others. The diverse relationships that sexual minority women have in their social support networks may be used to guide programmes to improve health outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessamyn Bowling
- a Department of Applied Health Science, Center for Sexual Health Promotion , Indiana University , Bloomington , IN , USA
| | - Brian Dodge
- a Department of Applied Health Science, Center for Sexual Health Promotion , Indiana University , Bloomington , IN , USA
| | - Swagata Banik
- b Public Health Program , Baldwin Wallace University , Berea , OH , USA
| | - Elizabeth Bartelt
- a Department of Applied Health Science, Center for Sexual Health Promotion , Indiana University , Bloomington , IN , USA
| | | | - Lucia Guerra-Reyes
- a Department of Applied Health Science, Center for Sexual Health Promotion , Indiana University , Bloomington , IN , USA
| | - Devon Hensel
- d Department of Pediatrics , Indiana University , Indianapolis , IN , USA
- e Department of Sociology , Indiana University-Purdue University , Indianapolis , IN , USA
| | - Debby Herbenick
- a Department of Applied Health Science, Center for Sexual Health Promotion , Indiana University , Bloomington , IN , USA
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