The sample (N=118) was mostly Lesbian (85.6%, n=101) with a mean age of 60.81 years (min=50, max=86, SD=7). Most (55.1%, n=65) lived with a partner, including 25.4% (n=30) being married. The education mean (=category 4.37, min=1, max=6, SD=1.123) was between Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees, 48.3% were employed full-time (n=57), 26.3% (n=31) retired, and the annual household income was $50,000 – $99,999 (mean=5.13; SD=1.392). They reported good health (mean=4.04; min=1, max=6, SD=0.789) with an overweight Body Mass Index (BMI mean=32.77; min=17.97, max=57.32, SD=8.03). Quality ratings showed: healthcare received was closest to very good (mean= 4.68; min=1, max=6, SD=1.205); care received from primary care provider was between very good and excellent (mean=4.54; min=1, max=6, SD=1.174); providers’ sensitivity/cultural competence for sexual orientation was closest to very good (mean=4.70; min=1, max=6, SD=1.182); providers’ sensitivity/cultural competence for race was between good to very good (mean=4.57; min=1, max=6, SD=1.178); and providers’ openness to hearing about/accepting sexual orientation was closest to very open (mean=3.77; min=1, max=5, SD=0.937). The majority (71.2% (n=84) experienced discrimination in the healthcare system—for being Black (64.4%, n=76), a woman (48.4%, n=57), overweight/obese (31.4%, n=54), or appearance (29.7%, n=35).Findings for performing 9 behaviors for healthy aging showed: 1-stages of change mean=4.283 (min=1.44, max=5, SD=0.663) was closest to action stage; 2-self-efficacy mean=5.171 (min=3, max=6, SD=0.703) was 80% confident; 3-knowledge mean = 5.811 (min=3.22, max=7, SD=0.916) was closest to a high level of knowledge; and, 4-motivation mean=5.57 (min=3.44, max=7, SD=0.935) was between moderate and high. They had moderately high: satisfaction with life (SWLS-3 mean=5.223, min=1.33, max=7, SD=1.272); overall life satisfaction (LSS-1, mean=7.50, min=2, max=10, SD=1.834); and harmony in life (mean=5.407; min=2, max=7, SD=1.184). Backwards stepwise regression, controlling for social desirability, indicated higher Satisfaction with Life (SWLS-3) was significantly predicted by: Higher harmony in life (B=0.714, p=0.000); Higher annual household income (B=0.155, p=0.004); Higher provider sensitivity/cultural competence to their patient being Black (B=0.208, p=0.002)—with 62.4% of variance explained (R2=0.615, adjusted R2=0.624; F=25.483, p=.000) by the model. Qualitative data amplified findings.

Thesis (Ph. D. (Psychology)) --University of Limpopo, 2019 / South African has constitutional protection for the human rights of all its citizens. However, black lesbians in South Africa suffer physical, emotional and psychological abuse. This qualitative study aimed to elicit the social and emotional experiences of black lesbians living, as same-sex partners, in a township setting. The design of the study was exploratory in nature and used a purposive sample of ten couples (twenty women). The investigation was underpinned by Social domain theory (SDT) which allowed for an understanding of the judgements people make in different social settings. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with each couple in order to collect data. The data were analysed using thematic content analysis (TCA) which gleaned ten themes namely, age and sexual orientation, suicide, education, lack of support, hate crimes, substance abuse, stigma, mental health, parenting and discrimination. In the discussion it was found that these themes echoed those in other local and international studies. However, corrective rape is peculiar to South Africa and was experienced by some participants in the study. In one case a brother, with the mother’s support raped his sister repeatedly. This took place in a country which has a progressive constitution and laws. Social norms in the township allows black lesbian couples to suffer this type of abuse and have daily experiences of discrimination and stigmatisation. Recommendations included a quantitative more far reaching study (as well as longitudinal studies) and more workshops and campaigns spreading knowledge about sexuality.