Sexual Orientation, Geographic Proximity, and Contact Frequency Between Adult Siblings

Abstract

The aim of this study is to provide the first systematic analysis of differences in the closeness of sibling relations between lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) and heterosexual adults. Background: Across countries, LGB people experience poorer socioeconomic and health outcomes than heterosexual people. Although the reasons for this disadvantage are complex, low levels of family support have been recurrently identified as an important contributor. However, the available literature has concentrated on relations between LGB people and their parents, neglecting other important familial bonds-including sibling bonds. Method: To compare the closeness of sibling relations between individuals with different sexual orientations, this study leverages unique data from an Australian national survey (Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia Survey, n = 13,157 individuals, 35,622 individual-sibling pairs) and multilevel regression models. Results: Key results indicated that-when compared with heterosexual individuals-LGB individuals had less frequent contact with and lived geographically farther from their siblings. The pattern of effects was similar for bisexual and gay or lesbian individuals, and stronger for male

Social support and HIV prevention behaviors among urban HIV-negative gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men.

“…Social support can buffer against and help an individual cope with the negative effects of stigmatization, which is common among sexual minority groups like GBM, who are more likely to experience social rejection in their family and peer networks (Hatzenbuehler, 2009; Meyer, 2003; Perales & Plage, 2020). Thus, social supports may be particularly important for GBM; indeed, members of sexual minority groups tend to experience a stronger positive effect of social support compared with heterosexual people (Hsieh, 2014).…”

Sibling Relationships in Adulthood: Research Findings and New Frontiers

“…In addition, a growing body of literature has started to consider the roles of sexual and gender minority identities in marital and parent–adult child ties (Connidis & Barnett, 2019; Reczek, 2020). A recent study showed that individuals who identified as lesbian, gay, or bisexual had less contact with their siblings than did individuals who identified as heterosexual (Perales & Plage, 2020). Future scholarship should continue to consider how sexual and gender minority identities have an impact on sibling relationships.…”

Siblings' similarities and dissimilarities: A review of theoretical perspectives and empirical insights

“…For example, existing literature suggested that siblings are more likely to be related in criminal behavior, specifically those who are closely spaced (van de Rakt et al, 2009). In addition, siblings tend to be more distant when they differ in terms of sexual orientation (i.e., hetero-and homosexuality) or in the case of siblings with mental disabilities (Kaminsky & Dewey, 2001;Perales & Plage, 2020). Future studies could investigate these topics from different angles or uncover sibling (dis)similarities in other domains.…”