Lesbian women coping with challenges of minority stress: a qualitative study.
OBJECTIVE
Even though homosexuality is apparently widely accepted, minority stress prevails. Successful coping may reduce the negative impact of minority stress on health. We wanted to explore lesbian women's positive coping experiences related to sexual minority stress.


METHODS
A convenience sample of self-defined lesbian women living in Norway was recruited mainly via internet. Qualitative data about coping strategies were obtained as written answers to a web-based, open-ended questionnaire. Data were analysed with systematic text condensation supported by theories of stress and coping, and salutogenesis.


RESULTS
Openness about the lesbian orientation, and how disclosure was carried out, were means to counter anticipated prejudice. Maintaining dignity when prejudice appeared could be accomplished by actions to demand one's rights or claim respect, or by unexpressed thoughts boosting self-respect when unable to talk back. Prejudice within family relations lead to compromises to enable contact, but never compromising self-respect. Underlying successful coping strategies we identified a personal conviction that being lesbian is respectable and worthy - lesbian confidence.


CONCLUSIONS
Promoting lesbian confidence, a healthcare provider can contribute to psychological wellbeing and enhance health among lesbian women. Open lesbian women in the community, who are responded to in a positive or every-day-like manner, may nurture lesbian confidence and contribute to coping and health.
Research Unit for General Practice, Uni Health/Uni Research Bergen, Bergen, Norway. mari.bjrkman@gmail.com
Mari
M
Bjorkman
Kirsti
K
Malterud
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D018452:Homosexuality, Female / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009664:Norway; D028723:Personhood; D011287:Prejudice; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012649:Self Concept; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000209:etiology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult