Lesbian Health in Heterosexual Society Dissertation or Thesis by KatiaK
Lesbian Health in Heterosexual Society
This is a dissertation on the status of lesbian health and associated lesbian health disparities. It is a review of the literature in major areas of health, including social exclusion theory, methodological issues in studying lesbian health.
# 153865
| 26,300 words
| 93 sources
| APA
| 2013
| 
Published
on May 18, 2014
in
Gender and Sexuality
(Homosexuality)
, Women Studies
(General)
, Psychology
(General)
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Description:
The additional burdens placed on the lives of minorities as a result of social exclusion can lead to health disparities. Social exclusion theory has been used in previous research to investigate the health disparities that exist between socioeconomic classes and individuals of different ethnic backgrounds living in the United States, but it has not yet been applied to another important minority group: sexual minorities. This review of the literature has sought to apply social exclusion theory to the examination of health issues and health disparities within the lesbian community. Lesbian women face the health concerns common to all women, but also face a number of additional health care related challenges as a result of their sexual minority status living in a predominantly heterosexual society. Many of the challenges that they face with respect to their access to health care, the health care risks specific to their community and their health status are a result of their stigmatized social status. This review of the literature has sought to examine what is presently known concerning lesbian health status, their health risk behaviors, as well as their utilization and access to health care. The review also examines issues of relevance to the future of health care within this community by examining the specific and unique needs of aging lesbians.
Table of Contents:
Abstract
Acknowledgements
Lesbian Health in Heterosexual Society
Social Exclusion Theory
Overview of Topics Covered
Literature Review
Social Exclusion Theory
Social exclusion from society through legal sanctions.
Failure to provide for the needs of particular groups.
Exclusion from social production.
Economic exclusion from social consumption.
Social exclusion and health outcomes.
Methodological Issues in Studying Lesbian Health
Definition & Measurement of Sexual Orientation & Identity.
Studying a Marginalized Population.
Funding for Research.
Current Health Status of Lesbians
Health Risks and Health Behaviors.
Weight.
Smoking.
Alcohol Use & Abuse.
Substance Use.
Cancer & Major Illnesses.
Reproductive Cancers.
Chronic Illnesses.
Sexual Health.
Mental health.
Minority Stress & Health
Stress associated with hiding sexual identity.
Experiences of prejudice and victimization.
Social support and minority stress.
Social Support, Relationships & Health
Access to & Experiences with Health Care Services
Unequal access to health benefits.
Misinformation.
Negative experiences and disclosure of sexual orientation.
Social exclusion.
The Experience of Aging for Lesbians
Summary & Conclusions
Summary
Recommendations for Future Research
Conclusion
References
Table of Contents:
Abstract
Acknowledgements
Lesbian Health in Heterosexual Society
Social Exclusion Theory
Overview of Topics Covered
Literature Review
Social Exclusion Theory
Social exclusion from society through legal sanctions.
Failure to provide for the needs of particular groups.
Exclusion from social production.
Economic exclusion from social consumption.
Social exclusion and health outcomes.
Methodological Issues in Studying Lesbian Health
Definition & Measurement of Sexual Orientation & Identity.
Studying a Marginalized Population.
Funding for Research.
Current Health Status of Lesbians
Health Risks and Health Behaviors.
Weight.
Smoking.
Alcohol Use & Abuse.
Substance Use.
Cancer & Major Illnesses.
Reproductive Cancers.
Chronic Illnesses.
Sexual Health.
Mental health.
Minority Stress & Health
Stress associated with hiding sexual identity.
Experiences of prejudice and victimization.
Social support and minority stress.
Social Support, Relationships & Health
Access to & Experiences with Health Care Services
Unequal access to health benefits.
Misinformation.
Negative experiences and disclosure of sexual orientation.
Social exclusion.
The Experience of Aging for Lesbians
Summary & Conclusions
Summary
Recommendations for Future Research
Conclusion
References
From the Paper:
"Reliable and valid research requires strong methodologies that implement sound designs with well-selected research samples. One of the greatest challenges to developing a thorough and accurate understanding of lesbian health issues is the lack of adequate research methodology. This is by no means a criticism of the quality of researchers conducting investigations into lesbian health issues, but rather a consequence of the nature of human sexual identity and the politics that surround sexual minorities. In order to properly investigate a specific population it is important for researchers to be able to define that population and then draw representative samples from which to generalize about the population as a whole. With sexual minorities, this concept is challenged in a variety of ways, including the lack of consensus on defining sexual identities, the difficulty in studying a marginalized and hidden, or invisible, community, and the willingness of sexual minorities to participate in research. Even if one can surmount a reasonable response to these challenges, research on sexual minority issues continues to be plagued by political concerns that limit the availability and quantity of funding available to conduct such research. Despite these significant and real methodological challenges, high quality research has been conducted, but when reviewing such research it is important to keep in mind the challenges that researchers of sexual minorities face, and how these challenges can influence the interpretation of the results that have been published in the literature."Sample of Sources Used:
- Amato, P., & Morton, D. (2002). Lesbian health education: A survey of obstetrics and gynecology residency training programs. Journal of the Gay and Lesbian Medical Association , 6 (2), 47-51.
- American Lung Association. (2010). Smoking out a deadly threat: Tobacco use in the LGBT community. Washington, DC: American Lung Association.
- Austin, E. L., & Irwin, J. A. (2010). Health behaviors and health care utilization of southern lesbians. Women's Health Issues , 20, 178-184.
- Austin, S. B., & Schuster, M. A. (2009). Health and healthcare for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender youth: Reducing disparities through research, education and practice. Journal of Adolescent Health , 45, 213-215.
- Balsam, K. F., Beauchaine, T. P., Mickey, R. M., & Rothblum, E. D. (2005). Mental health of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and heterosexual siblings: Effects of gender, sexual orientation, and family. Journal of Abnormal Psychology , 114 (3), 471-476.
Cite this Dissertation or Thesis:
APA Format
Lesbian Health in Heterosexual Society (2014, May 18)
Retrieved December 10, 2023, from https://www.academon.com/dissertation-or-thesis/lesbian-health-in-heterosexual-society-153865/
MLA Format
"Lesbian Health in Heterosexual Society" 18 May 2014.
Web. 10 December. 2023. <https://www.academon.com/dissertation-or-thesis/lesbian-health-in-heterosexual-society-153865/>