Positive family and peer influence on LGBTQ2+ young adults

Abstract

The purpose of the current study is to examine the joy related to LGBTQ+ identities and how it may be related to experiences with family and peers. This area of research is of interest due to its relatively unexplored nature; most prior research on LGBTQ+ identities focus on stigma and negative outcomes. Respondents for this study identified as LGBTQ, were between the ages of 18 and 28, and were recruited through social media and physical advertisements. Interview data from 8 participants was then collected using semi-structured interviews conducted by student researchers. Interviews were transcribed and coded using open and axial coding. The two main findings of this study were as follows: first, effort by family members to be accepting, affirming, or understanding caused LGBTQ+ young adults to have more positive (or at least ambivalent) feelings about their family. Second, the shared experience of being LGBTQ+ led to many positive friendships for those in our sample. These findings emphasize the importance of acceptance and shared identity in LGBTQ+ interpersonal relationships.