Psychological Wellbeing Among Same‐sex Attracted and Heterosexual Parents: Role of Connectedness to Family and Friendship Networks |
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| Authors: | Jennifer Power Margot J. Schofield Davide Farchione Amaryll Perlesz Ruth McNair Rhonda Brown Marian Pitts Andrew Bickerdike |
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| Affiliation: | 1. The Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society, La Trobe University, Victoria;2. Department of Psychology and Counselling, La Trobe University, Victoria;3. School of Engineering and Mathematical Sciences, La Trobe University, Victoria;4. The Bouverie Centre, La Trobe University, Victoria;5. Department of General Practice and North West Academic Centre, University of Melbourne, Victoria;6. School of Nursing and Midwifery, Deakin University, Victoria;7. Relationships Australia Victoria, Victoria |
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| Abstract: | 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. |
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| Keywords: | lesbian, gay, bisexual same‐sex parents parental wellbeing family connectedness |
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