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A qualitative exploration of whether lesbian and bisexual women are 'protected' from sociocultural pressure to be thin

Huxley, Caroline J.; Huxley, Caroline; Clarke, Victoria; Halliwell, Emma

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Authors

Caroline J. Huxley

Caroline Huxley

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Dr Victoria Clarke Victoria.Clarke@uwe.ac.uk
Associate Professor in Qualitative & Critical Psychology

Emma Halliwell Emma.Halliwell@uwe.ac.uk
Associate Professor in Psychology



Abstract

Heterosexual women in Western cultures are known to experience body image concerns, dieting and disordered eating as a result of intense social pressures to be thin. However, it is theorised that lesbian and bisexual women belong to a subculture that is 'protective' of such demands. Fifteen non-heterosexual women were interviewed about their experiences of social pressure. Thematic analysis of their accounts suggests that such theorising may be inaccurate, because these lesbian and bisexual women did not feel 'protected' from social pressures and experienced body dissatisfaction. While they might attempt to resist thin idealisation, resistance is not centred around their sexuality. © The Author(s) 2013.

Citation

Huxley, C. J., Huxley, C., Clarke, V., & Halliwell, E. (2014). A qualitative exploration of whether lesbian and bisexual women are 'protected' from sociocultural pressure to be thin. Journal of Health Psychology, 19(2), 273-284. https://doi.org/10.1177/1359105312468496

Journal Article Type Article
Publication Date Feb 1, 2014
Deposit Date Sep 6, 2013
Publicly Available Date Mar 29, 2024
Journal Journal of Health Psychology
Print ISSN 1359-1053
Electronic ISSN 1461-7277
Publisher SAGE Publications
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 19
Issue 2
Pages 273-284
DOI https://doi.org/10.1177/1359105312468496
Keywords body image, body size, appearance, sexuality, qualitative methods
Public URL https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/821563
Publisher URL http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1359105312468496
Additional Information Additional Information : Published online 7 January 2013.

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