Exploring the Experiences of Young LGBTQA+ Australians' Use of Offline and Online Peer Support
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 3619594 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Rocco Pellegrino (Monash University, corresponding author), Lefteris Patlamazoglou (0000-0003-2514-8362, Monash University) |
| Year | 2025 |
| Volume | 72 |
| Issue | 13 |
| Pages | 2679-2701 |
| Publication date | 2025-11-10 |
| Open Access | No |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Journal of Homosexuality (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 0091-8369 • E-ISSN: 1540-3602 |
| Publisher | Informa UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB) |
| DOI | 10.1080/00918369.2024.2440375 |
| PMID | 39655801 |
| OpenAlex | W4405244726 |
| Language | EN |
| References cited | 47 |
This study aimed to explore the experiences of peer interactions among LGBTQA+ young people in Australia. 22 verbatim transcriptions from semi-structured interviews with LGBTQA+ young Australians aged 16-24 were analyzed using Reflexive Thematic Analysis. Four themes were developed; (1) Online safety and anonymity facilitate identity exploration, (2) the risks and benefits of online support, (3) the risks and benefits of in-person peer support, and (4) gender and sexuality diverse experiences of peer support differ. These findings illuminate that both online and in-person peer support play an important role in the lives of young LGBTQA+ Australians with our findings indicating that rather than an either-or approach, online and in-person peer support predominately follows a sequential pattern in the development of their identity and sense of acceptance and belonging. Whilst the anonymity of online spaces acts as a catalyst for exploration of gender identity and sexuality, once assured of their identity, in person peer support allows LGBTQA+ young people to feel more connected to others in real life. These findings provide a strong rationale for future research into the differences between subgroups of the LGBTQA+ community and for policies and interventions to increase the safety of online and accessible offline community spaces
Anonymity · Computer security · Human sexuality · Identity (music · Internet privacy · Online and offline · Online community · Online discussion · Online forum · Online identity · Peer group · Peer review · Peer support · Psychological intervention · Qualitative research · Reflexivity · Sociology · The Internet · Thematic analysis · World Wide Web · Computer Science · Gender Studies · Gender, Feminism, and Media · LGBTQ Health, Identity, and Policy · Psychology · Sexuality, Behavior, and Technology · Social Psychology
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| Highly cited | No |
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