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Surviving in dangerous places: lesbian identity performances in the workplace, social class and psychological health

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Surviving in dangerous places: lesbian identity performances in the workplace, social class and psychological health. / McDermott, Elizabeth.
In: Feminism and Psychology, Vol. 16, No. 2, 05.2006, p. 193-211.

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@article{54e0b72ea64c452d82a686f3a8bd085a,
title = "Surviving in dangerous places: lesbian identity performances in the workplace, social class and psychological health",
abstract = "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.",
keywords = "employment, homosexuality, psychological health, social class, MENTAL-HEALTH, SEXUAL IDENTITY, MULTIPLE ROLES, WOMENS HEALTH, WHITEHALL II, WORK, GAY, GENDER, WELL, DISCLOSURE",
author = "Elizabeth McDermott",
year = "2006",
month = may,
doi = "10.1177/0959-353506062977",
language = "English",
volume = "16",
pages = "193--211",
journal = "Feminism and Psychology",
issn = "0959-3535",
publisher = "SAGE Publications Ltd",
number = "2",

}

RIS

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 -