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
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