Families of the Lesbian baby boom: Maternal mental health and child adjustment

Patterson, Charlotte J.

doi:10.1080/19359705.2001.9962255

Cited by 14 publications

(20 citation statements)

References 19 publications

(35 reference statements)

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“…Patterson (1995b) found that when lesbian mothers shared the labor involved in childcare more evenly, they reported a higher level of well being of their children. Another study reported that lesbian mothers who described their own psychological adjustment and self-esteem in positive terms were also more likely to report that their children were developing well (Patterson, 2001). However, research on diversity in families with lesbian parents and potential effects of such diversity on children is scarce.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 98%

“…No differences were found between the psychological health of lesbian mothers and that of heterosexual mothers . Patterson (2001) reported in study of 37 lesbian families that lesbian mothers who described their own psychological adjustment and self-esteem in positive terms were more likely to report that their children were developing well. Morris, Balsam and Rothblum (2002) found that lesbians who gave birth to children before coming out were more likely to have had mental health counseling than were those who gave birth to children after coming out.…”

Section: Parental Functioningmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Parenting in Planned Lesbian Families

Bos¹

2004

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 98%

Section: Parental Functioningmentioning

confidence: 99%

Parenting in Planned Lesbian Families

Bos¹

2004

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“…Patterson (1995) found that when lesbian mothers shared the labour involved in childcare more evenly they reported a greater sense of well-being of their children. Another study reported that lesbian mothers who described their own psychological adjustment and self-esteem in positive terms were also more likely to report that their children were developing well (Patterson, 2001). However, research on diversity in families with lesbian parents and potential effects of such diversity on children is sparse.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Minority stress, experience of parenthood and child adjustment in lesbian families

Bos

Balen

Boom

et al. 2004

Journal of Reproductive and Infant Psychology

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The aim of this study was to explore the relationship of minority stress with experiences of parenthood (e.g. parental stress and parental justification) and child adjustment in lesbian mother families. Three components of minority stress were examined, namely, experiences of rejection as a result of the non-traditional family situation, perceived stigma, and internalized homophobia. A total of 100 planned lesbian families (100 biological mothers and 100 social mothers) were involved in this study. Data were collected by means of a written questionnaire. The lesbian mothers in this sample generally described low levels of rejection, they perceived little stigmatization, and they also manifested low levels of internalized homophobia. However, minority stress was significantly related to experiences of parenthood. Lesbian mothers with more experiences of rejection experienced more parental stress, and appeared to defend their position as mother more strongly (e.g. parental justification). Furthermore, mothers with higher levels of perceived stigma and internalized homophobia felt significantly more often that they had to defend their position as mother. Finally, mothers who reported more experience of rejection were also more likely to report behaviour problems in their children. Our findings emphasize the importance of the effect of minority stress on the lives of lesbian mothers and their children.

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“…No differences were found between the psychological health of lesbian mothers and that of heterosexual mothers [43]. Patterson [58] reported in study of 37 lesbian families that lesbian mothers who described their own psychological adjustment and self-esteem in positive terms were more likely to report that their children were developing well. Morris et al [59] found that lesbians who gave birth to children before coming out were more likely to have had mental health counseling than were those who gave birth to children after coming out.…”

Section: Parental Child Rearing Behaviormentioning

confidence: 94%