Ingham, Charlotte and Eccles, Fiona Juliet Rosalind and Armitage, Jocelyn Rebecca (2017) Non-heterosexual women's experiences of informal social support : a qualitative metasynthesis. Journal of Gay and Lesbian Social Services, 29 (2). pp. 109-143.
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Abstract
This metasynthesis explores how non-heterosexual women experience informal social support. A systematic literature search was conducted to identify papers for inclusion, following which Noblit and Hare's (1988) meta-ethnographic approach was adopted to synthesise the findings of 16 papers. Four themes were derived: (i) disconnection from family life, (ii) the benefits of cross-sexual orientation friendships (iii) negotiating (internalised) homophobia and seeking a space for authenticity, and (iv) the intimacy of friendships between women. The impact of heterosexism on the women’s experiences of social support is discussed, implications for health and social care are explored and future research avenues are proposed.