Understanding the Well-Being of LGBTQI+ Populations (2020) / Chapter Skim
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8 Families and Social Relationships
8 Families and Social Relationships
Pages 197-230
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From page 197... ...
populations have not been a focus of this research to date, even though minority stress and discrimination experienced by SGD populations contribute to patterns of social engagement and patterns of isolation. Beginning in childhood, SGD populations face unique sources of stigma and discrimination due to SGD status that may introduce strain in relationships with others, inhibit family formation, and contribute to social isolation (Patterson, 2019; Riskind and Patterson, 2010; Russell and Fish, 2016)
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From page 198... ...
SOCIAL AND FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS IN CHILDHOOD AND ADOLESCENCE Research over recent years has found that SGD youth show high rates of behavioral, mental, and physical health risks (Institute of Medicine, 2011; Russell and Fish, 2016)
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From page 199... ...
While the potential for bullying or other forms of social rejection is greater for youth who come out (Russell et al., 2014) , coming out also opens the door for positive social relationships, such as SGD-affirming friendships and romantic relationships (Russell, Watson, and Muraco, 2011; Whitton et al., 2018)
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From page 200... ...
For LGB and transgender children and adolescents, accepting behaviors by parents are associated with both multiple indicators of positive youth adjustment (e.g., higher self-esteem, reported social support, and general health) and lower levels of mental and behavioral health risk (e.g., fewer depressive symptoms, less suicidality, and less substance use)
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From page 201... ...
. Importantly, studies have documented the distinctive salience of SGD friendships for SGD youth: in comparison with social support from family and heterosexual friends, LGB youth reported more social support from LGB friends, and LGB friend support was associated with fewer psychological symptoms (Doty et al., 2010)
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From page 202... ...
, yet LGBTQ youth remain less likely overall than their heterosexual peers to be involved in romantic relationships. Despite barriers, there is evidence from a small number of recent studies that SGD youth who develop same-sex romantic relationships in adolescence report better adjustment than those who do not develop such relationships (Bauermeister et al., 2010; Glover, Galliher, and Lamere, 2009; Whitton et al., 2018)
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From page 203... ...
. The role of positive social relationships with family members, as well as with those outside the family, is important in helping youth develop in positive ways.
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Thus, lesbian and gay young adults reported life aims that were similar to those of heterosexual peers, but they did not believe that they would achieve them (Tate and Patterson, 2019c)
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Thus, transgender prospective adoptive parents may face added scrutiny. Sexual and Gender Diverse Parenting and Children The many studies that have examined parenting processes among SGD parents have found these family relationships to be generally warm and positive (Biblarz and Stacey, 2010; Goldberg, 2010; Golombok et al., 2014; Patterson, 1992, 2000, 2017)
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. Regardless of their own sexual orientation, adult offspring of lesbian and gay parents report greater well-being when they live in social climates that are supportive for SGD people (Lick et al., 2012)
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[and] research has shown that the adjustment, development, and psychological well-being of children are unrelated to parental sexual orientation and that the children of lesbian and gay parents are as likely as those of heterosexual parents to flourish.
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. In this section we focus primarily on intimate and romantic relationships, which have been the focus of a great deal of research, and then highlight recent evidence concerning relationships with close friends and family.
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At the same time, marriage may be especially important in helping sexual minority populations to cope with stress and to protect their health and well-being. Several studies on romantic partnerships and health of same-sex couples have relied on nationally representative data (e.g., data from the National Health Interview Study [NHIS]
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From page 210... ...
This research has focused primarily on individuals who transition while in an existing relationship, and it addresses their specific challenges and supports. Emerging evidence suggests that an intimate partner relationship is a source of social and emotional support that can reduce perceived levels of discrimination for transgender people (Liu and Wilkinson, 2017; Pfeffer, 2016)
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From page 211... ...
analyzed Add Health data and found that, for young adults, racial minority status and lower socioeconomic status increase marital instability for same-sex couples, much as it does for different-sex couples. Transgender people may also be at greater risk for marital instability, particularly for those who married prior to transition.
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. The rest of this section highlights some of the key relationship dynamics known to be important for couples: overall relationship quality, sexual minority stress, division of labor, the dynamics of sexual and emotional intimacy, intimate partner violence, partners' influences on health behaviors, and caregiving dynamics when a partner is ill.
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From page 213... ...
suggests that cisgender women coupled with transgender men do comparatively more housework in an effort to clarify and assert gender order. Dynamics of Sexual and Emotional Intimacy Studies based on national samples indicate that overall satisfaction with sex is similar for those in gay, lesbian, and heterosexual couples (Holmberg and Blair, 2009; Kurdek, 1991; Peplau and Fingerhut, 2007)
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From page 214... ...
. In addition, unique risk factors have been observed for LGB populations, including sexual minority stress, internalized homonegativity, and the failure of community and health care systems to identify and treat intimate partner violence in SGD populations (Edwards, Sylaska, and Neal, 2015; Rollè et al., 2018)
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From page 215... ...
Overall, and apart from studies of caregiving within intimate relationships, little is known about illness and caregiving among adult or aging SGD populations (Reczek and Umberson, 2016) , and there are even fewer studies of end-of-life issues among SGD people.
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From page 216... ...
In one study, for example, in contrast to the 6 percent of heterosexual older adults who reported providing care to a friend, 21 percent of older LGBT adults reported having provided care to friends (MetLife Mature Market Institute and American Society on Aging, 2010)
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From page 217... ...
Romantic relationships in youth are also supportive in many cases, although the risk of intimate partner violence is higher for SGD youth than for other youth. CONCLUSION 8-1: Relationships with parents, teachers, peers, and romantic partners are important in shaping development and well being among children and adolescents; these relationships can be strained for sexual and gender diverse youth.
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From page 218... ...
In comparison with heterosexual peers, SGD adults report less frequent contact and more strain in their family-of-origin relationships. Overall, lesbian and gay adults report more strained relationships with their own parents than do heterosexual adults, and these strained relationships are associated with stress, psychological distress, and unhealthy behaviors.
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. Resolution on Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity (SOGI)
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From page 220... ...
. The perpetration of intimate partner violence among LGBTQ college youth: The role of minority stress.
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. Intimate partner violence among sex ual minority populations: A critical review of the literature and agenda for future re search. Psychology of Violence, 5(2)
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. A new piece of the puz zle: Sexual orientation, gender, and physical health status.
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. Sexual minority health and health risk factors: Intersection effects of gender, race, and sexual identity.
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. Social climate for sexual minorities predicts well-being among heterosexual offspring of lesbian and gay parents.
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. Parental sexual orientation and child development.
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. Intimate partner violence victimization in LGBT young adults: Demographic differences and associations with health behaviors.
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. Effects of family and friend support on LGB youths' mental health and sexual orientation milestones.
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. Sexual orientation and psychological distress in adolescence: Examining interpersonal stressors and social support processes.
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. Sources of social support and mental health among LGB youth.
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