A Systematic Review of Gay, Lesbian, and Bisexual Research Samples in Couple and Family Therapy Journals

• Published in: Journal of marital and family therapy 2017-07, Vol.43 (3), p.482-501
• Main Authors: Hartwell, Erica E., Serovich, Julianne M., Reed, Sandra J., Boisvert, Danielle, Falbo, Teresa
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adoption; Bisexuality; Bisexuality - statistics & numerical data; Clinical psychology; Clinical research; Competence; Counselor Training; Couples; Couples Therapy - statistics & numerical data; Epistemology; Ethnicity; Evidence Based Practice; Evidence based research; Family counseling; Family therapy; Family Therapy - statistics & numerical data; Female; Gays & lesbians; Homosexuality; Homosexuality, Female - statistics & numerical data; Homosexuality, Male - statistics & numerical data; Humans; Lesbianism; Literature Reviews; Male; Marriage; Meta Analysis; Modeling (Psychology); Multiculturalism & pluralism; Periodicals; Periodicals as Topic - statistics & numerical data; Psychotherapy; Race; Representativeness; Resistance (Psychology); Sampling; Sexual Orientation; Social Services; Statistical Analysis; Systematic review
• ISSN: 0194-472X; 1752-0606
• DOI: 10.1111/jmft.12220

The purpose of this study is to review samples from research on gay, lesbian, and bisexual (GLB) issues and to evaluate the suitability of this body of research to support affirmative and evidence‐based practice with GLB clients. The authors systematically reviewed the sampling methodology and sample composition of GLB‐related research. All original, quantitative articles focusing on GLB issues published in couple and family therapy (CFT)‐related journals since 1975 were coded (n = 153). Results suggest that within the GLB literature base there is some evidence of heterocentrism as well as neglect of issues of class, race, and gender. Suggestions to improve the diversity and representativeness of samples—and, thus, clinical implications—of GLB‐related research in CFT literature are provided.