Research output: Contribution to Journal/Magazine › Journal article › peer-review
Research output: Contribution to Journal/Magazine › Journal article › peer-review
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TY - JOUR
T1 - Surviving in dangerous places
T2 - lesbian identity performances in the workplace, social class and psychological health
AU - McDermott, Elizabeth
PY - 2006/5
Y1 - 2006/5
N2 - This article examines the ways in which the psychological health of women may be influenced by workplace sexual identity performances and social class positioning. It draws on UK research through in-depth interviews with 24 women who self-defined as mainly lesbian and/or gay. The article demonstrates that, for the women in the study, sexual identity performances at work involved negotiating employment settings that render heterosexuality compulsory and thus lesbian/gay performances a risk. As a result, the women engaged in risk-assessment strategies that were psychologically demanding. The women's narratives also suggest that the psychological effects of managing an 'othered' sexual identity in work was mediated by social class. The working-class women were more likely to be employed in settings where heterosexuality was heavily regulated and their 'practices of survival' were potentially more detrimental to their psychological health.
AB - This article examines the ways in which the psychological health of women may be influenced by workplace sexual identity performances and social class positioning. It draws on UK research through in-depth interviews with 24 women who self-defined as mainly lesbian and/or gay. The article demonstrates that, for the women in the study, sexual identity performances at work involved negotiating employment settings that render heterosexuality compulsory and thus lesbian/gay performances a risk. As a result, the women engaged in risk-assessment strategies that were psychologically demanding. The women's narratives also suggest that the psychological effects of managing an 'othered' sexual identity in work was mediated by social class. The working-class women were more likely to be employed in settings where heterosexuality was heavily regulated and their 'practices of survival' were potentially more detrimental to their psychological health.
KW - employment
KW - homosexuality
KW - psychological health
KW - social class
KW - MENTAL-HEALTH
KW - SEXUAL IDENTITY
KW - MULTIPLE ROLES
KW - WOMENS HEALTH
KW - WHITEHALL II
KW - WORK
KW - GAY
KW - GENDER
KW - WELL
KW - DISCLOSURE
U2 - 10.1177/0959-353506062977
DO - 10.1177/0959-353506062977
M3 - Journal article
VL - 16
SP - 193
EP - 211
JO - Feminism and Psychology
JF - Feminism and Psychology
SN - 0959-3535
IS - 2
ER -