Lesbian couples and their health: A phenomenological feminist study.

Abstract

Lesbians face oppression in their daily lives and in the health care system due to both their gender and sexual orientation. Nurses, as front line workers, have a vital role to ensure appropriate, high quality care as well as health promotion. This research responds to the lack of culturally sensitive care for lesbians and more specifically lesbian couples. The purpose of this study is to explore the meaning that the lesbian couple relationship has for the lesbian couple and how this relationship contributes to their mutual and individual sense of health. A phenomenological feminist approach captured a rich description of the lived experiences of lesbian couples, all of whom were middle class, Caucasian and well educated. Purposive sampling garnered seven lesbian couples. Two flexible, minimally structured interviews were conducted with each couple. Increased knowledge of lesbian couple relationships as a resource for the women's sense of health, will help care professionals use health support systems for lesbians and ease the burden of oppression. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)