The Opinions of Parents vs. Friends

in the Dating Decisions of LGBT

IndividualsKaren L. Blair, PhD

University of UtahCaroline F. Pukall, PhD

Queen’s University

Social Networks…..

… Love to Have Opinions!

Previous Research

Approval of Romantic Relationships is frequently studied.

Generally, support / approval = good for the relationship

Remaining Questions: Source of Support Marginalized Relationships

Parents vs. Friends

“The Romeo & Juliet Effect” Disapproval = ^

Commitment

Mixed Results on Parents

Less Mixed Results on Friends

My research: Parents don’t matter Parents and Friends Influence

different aspects of Relationship Functioning

Current Study

Online Survey: www.klbresearch.com

Past experiences of Relationship Disapproval From Parents

From Friends

Past decisions based on relationship disapproval

“In Hindsight” judgments of accuracy of social network opinions

Sample

N = 959 Mean Age = 25.5; 18-81 Average # of Relationships: 5 Average # of Serious Relationships: 2.26 Gender 37.5% Male 61.7% Female

Sexual Orientation / Identity 63.7% Heterosexual 22.9% Lesbian or Gay 8.3% Bisexual 5.1% Queer

Experiences of Relationship Disapproval

Parental Disapproval of Relationships (past/present)

* p < .05

Friends’ Disapproval of Relationships (past/present)

% R

esp

on

din

g “

Yes” 70

60

50

40

30

20

10

0

Heter

osex

ual

LGBT

Heter

osex

ual

LGBT

*

50.4%

63.2%

55.5% 55.0%

Influence of Disapproval

Ended Relationship Due to Disapproval from Parents

* p < .05

Ended Relationship Due to Disapproval from Friends

% R

esp

on

din

g Y

es o

r S

om

ew

hat

30

25

20

15

10

5

0

Heter

osex

ual

LGBT

Heter

osex

ual

LGBT

*20.8%

11.9%

21.4%21.6%

Who’s Approval Matters Most?

Heterosexual Participants LGBT Participants

% S

ele

cti

ng

Pers

on

as “

Most

Imp

ort

an

t S

ou

rce o

f A

pp

roval”

35

30

25

20

15

10

5

0

Moth

er

Ext.

Fam

ily

Fath

er

Best

Fri

end

Sib

lings

Clo

sest

Fri

ends

Moth

er

Ext.

Fam

ily

Fath

er

Best

Fri

end

Sib

lings

Clo

sest

Fri

ends

35

30

25

20

15

10

5

0

63.4%

37.4%

62.6%

36.6%

In Hindsight: Who Was Most Accurate?

Heterosexual Participants LGBT Participants

% S

ele

cti

ng

As M

ost

Accu

rate

80

70

60

50

40

30

20

10

0

Pare

nts

Ext.

Fam

ily

Sib

lings

Clo

sest

Fri

ends

Pare

nts

Ext.

Fam

ily

Sib

lings

Clo

sest

Fri

ends

80

70

60

50

40

30

20

10

0

29.4%

9.7%

Conclusions: LGBT Dating Decisions

Relationship Disapproval from Parents

Ending Relationship Based on Parental

Disapproval

Accuracy of Parents’ Past Opinions

Importance of Friends’ Approval

Future Directions

Parents vs. Friends?

Thank You

Website: www.KLBresearch.com

Twitter: @KLBresearch

Academia.edu: http://utah.academia.edu/KarenBlair

Karen L. Blair, PhD – University of Utah, USA

Caroline F. Pukall, PhD – Queen’s University, Canada