LGBTQ+ Partner Loss

In collaboration with EE-MM members

Since the 2015 legalization of same-sex marraige in the U.S., societal and legal shifts have changed the context of LGBTQ+ partner loss. Building on Bristowe et al.’s (2016)¹ systematic review, we examined reserach on LGBTQ+ bereavement published after 2015.

Using PRISMA guidelines, we screened 1,656 studies from Psychology Database and PubMed, ultimately including 10 qualitative studies. Thematic analysis identified common bereavement reactions and LGBTQ+-specific experiences. Findings highlight the need for professional education and interventions tailored to the unique grief experiences of LGBTQ+ people, even in an era of increased legal recognition.

We are currently preparing for submission based on the analyzed results.

Related Works

• Kim, J., Im, G., Kim, M., & Kang, S. (2025, August 7-9). A decade later: Revisiting LGBTQ+ partner loss and bereavement in the post-same-sex marriage era. Poster accepted at the APA 2025 Convention, Denver, CO, United States.

Footnotes

1. Bristowe, K., Marshall, S., & Harding, R. (2016). The bereavement experiences of lesbian, gay, bisexual and/or trans* people who have lost a partner: A systematic review, thematic synthesis and modelling of the literature. Palliative Medicine, 30(8), 730-744.