What About Our Rural Communities? A Qualitative Approach to Understanding Couple-Level Minority Stressors and Relationship Help-Seeking Behaviors Among Rural Community Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual + Couples

Couple-level minority stress theory extends minority stress theory, highlighting the interpersonal consequences of heterosexism, yet does not encompass the distinct experiences of LGB+ couples from underserved backgrounds (i.e., couples within rural communities facing additional stressors and barriers). This study qualitatively examined couple-level minority stressors and relationship help-seeking behaviors among LGB+ couples from rural communities. Seventeen couples in committed relationships participated in semi-structured interviews. Participants identified as gay (23.5%, n = 8), lesbian (35.3%, n = 12), bisexual, and otherwise non-heterosexual (41.2%, n = 14). An inductive approach was used for thematic analysis. Seven central themes emerged, including considerations of public systems, invalidation of the relationship, relationship concealment, shared couple experience, influence of socialization and heteronormatives, navigating other interpersonal relationships, and relationship help-seeking behaviors. Couples identified how sources of stress infiltrated their relationship negatively and how their relationship served as a source of support to counteract chronic stressors. Limited access to affirming LGB+ couples providers was a notable barrier, raising the question of how geography impacts queer couples. Couples acknowledged navigating an environment where there are heteronormative beliefs, consequently influencing feelings of safety and desire to disclose one’s sexual identity, as pronounced barriers. Findings suggest considerations of rural couples are unaccounted for in the minority stress framework.