title: Coping With Antigay Violence: In-Depth Interviews With Flemish LGB Adults.
abstract: In view of the possible negative mental health outcomes of antigay violence and the limited understanding of how lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) men and women cope with such experiences, this study examined the coping and social support-seeking strategies that victims adopt. In 2012, in-depth interviews were conducted with 19 Flemish sexual minority victims of violence. These in-depth interviews show that antigay violence can generate profound negative outcomes. However, the respondents employed a range of coping strategies, of which four were discerned: (1) avoidance strategies, (2) assertiveness and confrontation, (3) cognitive change, and (4) social support. Applying a diverse set of coping strategies and actively attaching meaning to negative experiences helps victims of antigay violence to overcome negative effects such as fear, embarrassment, or depressive feelings. However, the presence of a supportive network seems an important condition in order for these positive outcomes to occur.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Sociology , Ghent University.
authors.forename: Lies
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: D'haese
authors.affiliation: b Department of Experimental Clinical and Health Psychology , Ghent University.
authors.forename: Alexis
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Dewaele
authors.affiliation: a Department of Sociology , Ghent University.
authors.forename: Mieke
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Van Houtte
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001530:Belgium / Q000208:ethnology; D001727:Bisexuality / Q000208:ethnology*; D005260:Female; D063509:Homophobia / Q000208:ethnology*; D006716:Homosexuality / Q000208:ethnology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014754:Violence / Q000208:ethnology*; D055815:Young Adult