1. The Opinions of Parents vs. Friends in the Dating Decisions of LGBT Individuals Karen L. Blair, PhD University of Utah Caroline F. Pukall, PhD Queen’s University

2. Social Networks…..

3. … Love to Have Opinions!

5. Previous Research  Approval of Romantic Relationships is frequently studied.  Generally, support / approval = good for the relationship  Remaining Questions:  Source of Support  Marginalized Relationships

6. Parents vs. Friends  “ The Romeo & Juliet Effect”  Disapproval = ^ Commitment  Mixed Results on Parents  Less Mixed Results on Friends  My research:  Parents don’t matter  Parents and Friends Influence different aspects of Relationship Functioning

7. Current Study  Online Survey: www.klbresearch.com www.klbresearch.com  Past experiences of Relationship Disapproval  From Parents  From Friends  Past decisions based on relationship disapproval  “In Hindsight” judgments of accuracy of social network opinions

8. Sample  N = 959  Mean Age = 25.5; 18-81  Average # of Relationships: 5  Average # of Serious Relationships: 2.26  Gender  37.5% Male  61.7% Female  Sexual Orientation / Identity  63.7% Heterosexual  22.9% Lesbian or Gay  8.3% Bisexual  5.1% Queer

9. Experiences of Relationship Disapproval Parental Disapproval of Relationships (past/present) * p <.05 Friends’ Disapproval of Relationships (past/present) % Responding “Yes” 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 Heterosexual LGBT Heterosexual LGBT * 50.4% 63.2% 55.5%55.0%

10. Influence of Disapproval Ended Relationship Due to Disapproval from Parents * p <.05 Ended Relationship Due to Disapproval from Friends % Responding Yes or Somewhat 30 25 20 15 10 5 0 Heterosexual LGBT Heterosexual LGBT * 20.8% 11.9% 21.4% 21.6%

11. Who’s Approval Matters Most? Heterosexual ParticipantsLGBT Participants % Selecting Person as “Most Important Source of Approval” 35 30 25 20 15 10 5 0 Mother Ext. Family Father Best Friend Siblings Closest Friends Mother Ext. Family Father Best Friend Siblings Closest Friends 35 30 25 20 15 10 5 0 63.4% 37.4% 62.6% 36.6%

12. In Hindsight: Who Was Most Accurate? Heterosexual ParticipantsLGBT Participants % Selecting As Most Accurate 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 Parents Ext. Family Siblings Closest Friends Parents Ext. Family Siblings Closest Friends 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 29.4% 9.7%

13. Conclusions: LGBT Dating Decisions Relationship Disapproval from Parents Ending Relationship Based on Parental Disapproval Accuracy of Parents’ Past Opinions Importance of Friends’ Approval

14. Future Directions Parents vs. Friends?

15. Thank You  Website: www.KLBresearch.com  Twitter: @KLBresearch  Academia.edu: http://utah.academia.edu/KarenBlairhttp://utah.academia.edu/KarenBlair Karen L. Blair, PhD – University of Utah, USA Caroline F. Pukall, PhD – Queen’s University, Canada