Abstract
Significance: Sexual minority women (i.e., women who do not identify as heterosexual) in India have received little attention in scientific literature. This study uses resilience theory of protective and risk factors for health to examine how sexual minority women in Mumbai use social support as a protective factor. Social support has been linked with reducing morbidity and mortality; understanding the ways social support exchange is used is important for understanding these women's health. Methods: This study included 18 photo-elicitation interviews (interview discussion prompted by participants' photos). Participants reported being 18 or older, identifying as ‘non-heterosexual' and ‘women', and living in Mumbai. Using community-based participatory research, this study was conducted in partnership with India's oldest and largest LGBT-advocacy organization, The Humsafar Trust. Interviews were conducted with a local female research assistant, identified by the community partner, in the participants' preferred language (English and/or Hindi). Results: Participants prioritized emotional and financial support. Mothers were viewed as a critical social support relationship, and participants struggled to reconcile this when this was not the case in their lives. Relationship partners were a source of constant and dependable support; most single participants reported seeking a partner. Friends, both lesbian, gay, bisexual (LGB) and heterosexual, were seen as providing important support; some participants felt more empathy from LGB friends. Career and work relationships were sometimes sources of social support. Conclusion: Photo-elicitation interviews assisted in exploring abstract phenomena and empowered these relatively socially marginalized participants in the research process. This study provides evidence for diverse social support relationships for sexual minority women in Mumbai.
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