Sexual Orientation Microaggression Experiences and Coping Responses of Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Individuals in Taiwan: A Qualitative Study

Yu-Te Huang, Wen-Jiun Chou, Yi-Chen Hang and Cheng-Fang Yen ()
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Yu-Te Huang: Department of Social Work and Social Administration, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong RM543, China
Wen-Jiun Chou: Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical Center, Kaohsiung 83301, Taiwan
Yi-Chen Hang: Taiwan Gender Equity Education Association, Taipei 10089, Taiwan
Cheng-Fang Yen: Department of Psychiatry, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan

IJERPH, 2023, vol. 20, issue 3, 1-11

Abstract: This qualitative study explored the sexual orientation microaggression (SOM) experiences and coping strategies of lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) individuals in Taiwan. In total, 30 LGB individuals (17 women and 13 men; 17 homosexual and 13 bisexual individuals) who experienced SOMs participated in qualitative, semistructured interviews, during which their SOM experiences were assessed. Through the interviews, several types of SOMs were identified, corresponding to three main types of microaggression (microassaults, microinsults, and microinvalidations) previously identified in Western studies. The participants reported various coping responses to SOMs, ranging from active responses to choosing not to respond, to protecting themselves or to minimizing the negative consequences of confrontation. The results provide mental health professionals with insight regarding the contexts of and coping responses to the SOMs experienced by LGB individuals.

Keywords: microaggression; sexual orientation; lesbian; gay; bisexual; mental health; qualitative study (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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