The experiences of lesbian and gay adults on acute mental health wards: intimate relationship needs and recovery

Jennifer Robertson, Helen Pote, A Byrne, Franco Frasquilho

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Abstract

This study explores the psychiatric inpatient experiences of lesbian and gay service users in relation to their intimate relationship needs and how these experiences affected their mental health recovery. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with three gay men and three lesbians who had been resident on public sector psychiatric wards in the United Kingdom. The data were analyzed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA). Five master themes emerged: the conceptualization of intimacy, the relationship between intimate relationships and recovery, experiences of the ward, experiences of prejudice and discrimination in services, and a loss of power and personal identity as a service user.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)261-284
Number of pages24
JournalJournal of Gay & Lesbian Mental Health
Volume19
Issue number3
DOIs
Publication statusE-pub ahead of print - 26 May 2015

Keywords

  • mental health

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