Psychological wellbeing among same-sex attracted and heterosexual parents: Role of connectedness to family and friendship networks


Autoria(s): Power, Jennifer; Schofield, Margot J.; Farchione, Davide; Perlesz, Amaryll; McNair, Ruth; Brown, Rhonda; Pitts, Marian; Bickerdike, Andrew
Data(s)

01/01/2015

Resumo

© 2015 Australian Association of Family Therapy. Increasing numbers of lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) adults are entering into parenthood. Previous studies indicate many of these parents receive little or no support from their families of origin due to family members' negative attitudes toward homosexuality. This study looks at the extent to which LGB parents report a lower sense of connectedness to family of origin and friendship networks than heterosexual parents and whether this has an impact on psychological wellbeing in either of these groups. Data were derived from two studies of parents: Work, Love, Play, a study of Australian and New Zealand LGB parents (n=324); and the Longitudinal Study of Australian Children, a population-based study of young children and parents (n=6460). Structural equation modelling was used to explore the relationships between: parent sexuality and family/friendship connectedness, family/friendship connectedness and psychological wellbeing, parent sexuality and psychological wellbeing. LGB parents reported feeling less connected to their families of origin but more connected to their friendship groups than heterosexual parents. Counter to previous studies, we found no difference in the psychological wellbeing of LGB parents compared to heterosexual parents when examining the direct effect of sexuality on psychological wellbeing. Clinical implications for counsellors and family therapists are discussed.

Identificador

http://hdl.handle.net/10536/DRO/DU:30078534

Idioma(s)

eng

Publicador

Wiley

Relação

http://dro.deakin.edu.au/eserv/DU:30078534/brown-psychologicalwellbeing-2015.pdf

http://www.dx.doi.org/10.1002/anzf.1109

Direitos

2015, Wiley

Palavras-Chave #Social Sciences #Family Studies #lesbian #gay #bisexual #same-sex parents #parental wellbeing #family connectedness #MENTAL-HEALTH STATUS #SOCIAL SUPPORT #GAY MEN #LESBIAN MOTHERS #BISEXUAL ADULTS #UNITED-STATES #COMING-OUT #ORIENTATION #GENDER #WOMEN
Tipo

Journal Article