Making do with things we cannot change

An interpretive phenomenological analysis of relationship resilience among gay men in Singapore

Bibliographic Data

ID2922019
AuthorsMuhamad Alif Bin Ibrahim (0000-0002-9849-5413, corresponding author), Joanna Barlas (0000-0001-6087-7830, James Cook University Singapore)
Year2021
Volume38
Issue9
Pages2630-2652
Publication date2021-09-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournal of Social and Personal Relationships (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0265-4075 • E-ISSN: 1460-3608
PublisherSAGE Publications Inc (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1177/02654075211017988
OpenAlexW3160776228
LanguageEN
Citations received7
References cited69

Despite evolving social and political attitudes, many countries, including Singapore, still do not recognize couples in same-sex relationships. Much remains to be understood about the processes and strategies that help these couples maintain their relationships, especially in Asian societies. This study explored the ways in which gay men in intimate relationships safeguarded their relationships and remained resilient in Singapore. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with nine gay men in long-term relationships. The data were analyzed using interpretive phenomenological analysis. The analysis generated three superordinate themes, a) Making do with things we cannot change, b) Remaining resilient through social and financial capital, and c) Our love is stronger than the challenges we face. The emergent themes pointed to the ways in which participants coped with or shielded themselves against socio-political stressors that negatively impacted their relationships in the Singapore context. While some participants sought solace in families of choice, many learned to accept socio-political situations beyond their control. Most participants made do with implicit recognition as they were unwilling to disrupt social harmony. Others used their financial security to overcome structural barriers such as obtaining legal elements of heterosexual marriage. Findings may further current understanding of the ways in which gay couples remain resilient despite the relational challenges in different cultural contexts

Face (sociological concept · Harmony (color · Interpretative phenomenological analysis · Political science · Politics · Psychological resilience · Qualitative research · Sociology · Stressor · Superordinate goals · Gender Studies · Intergenerational Family Dynamics and Caregiving · LGBTQ Health, Identity, and Policy · Marriage and Sexual Relationships · Psychology · Social Psychology

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