Family Support and Acceptance, Gay Male Identity Formation, and Psychological Adjustment: A Path Model*

Abstract

While heterosexist family undermining has been demonstrated to be a developmental risk factor in the life of persons with same-gender orientation, the issue of protective family factors is both controversial and relatively neglected. In this study of Israeli gay males (N = 114), we focused on the interrelations of family support, family acceptance and family knowledge of gay orientation, and gay male identity formation, and their effects on mental health and self-esteem. A path model was proposed based on the hypotheses that family support, family acceptance, family knowledge, and gay identity formation have an impact on psychological adjustment, and that family support has an effect on gay identity formation that is mediated by family acceptance. The assessment of gay identity formation was based on an established stage model that was streamlined for cross-cultural practice by defining three basic processes of same-gender identity formation: self-definition, self-acceptance, and disclosure (Elizur & Mintzer, 2001). The testing of our conceptual path model demonstrated an excellent fit with the data. An alternative model that hypothesized effects of gay male identity on family acceptance and family knowledge did not fit the data. Interpreting these results, we propose that the main effect of family support/acceptance on gay identity is related to the process of disclosure, and that both general family support and family acceptance of same-gender orientation play a significant role in the psychological adjustment of gay men.

The Mental Health Impact of Physical Appearance Concerns in the Context of Other Life Domains Among Australian Gay Men

“…That work satisfaction was a predictor of overall life satisfaction mirrors similar findings among the general population (Bowling, Eschleman, & Wang, 2010;Judge & Watanabe, 1993), and bears conceptual similarity to Pachankis and Hatzenbuehler's (2013) finding that gay men derive self-esteem from success in achievement-related domains. The fact that satisfaction in more interpersonal domains, namely family and friendships, also predicted better mental health among our sample is consistent with other studies demonstrating the important roles of family and social support in the lives of gay men and other LGB individuals (e.g., Detrie & Lease, 2007;Elizur & Ziv, 2001; Levesque & Vichesky, 2006;Lyons, Pitts, & Grierson, 2013;Ryan et al, 2010).…”

“…Many studies, however, have indicated the importance of more social and interpersonal domains, such as social and family support, in gay men's mental health and wellbeing. For instance, Elizur and Ziv (2001) found that the extent of family support of gay individuals' sexual identity played a significant role in the psychological adjustment and self-esteem of gay Israeli men. Similarly, Goldfried and Goldfried (2001) reported the importance of parental support in the lives of LGB individuals.…”

Male Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health Care

“…Studies have found that gay male youth who have a supportive environment during the disclosure process can have a more positive psychological adjustment. 44,45 As discussed in the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) statement on sexual orientation and adolescents, 46 boys who are questioning and gay and do not have supportive environments are at increased risk of social isolation, school failure, family conflict, substance abuse, depression, suicide, and stigmatization. [47][48][49][50] Most sexual-minority youth are quite resilient and work through adolescent development issues.…”

Research with children and young people: exploring the tensions between ethics, competence and participation

“…Hence, these young people need to be able to participate in research that can explore how such negative processes and experiences can be resisted and evaluate how appropriate support can be provided. (See the following for further detail: Savin-Williams 1989, Hunter 1990, Hershberger and D'Augelli 1995, D'Augelli et al 1998, Elizur and Ziv 2001 Much initial contact and actual research with young people takes place in their school or home; indeed in ethical guidelines there is a presumption that either or both of these sites are the appropriate ones for research. However, the very nature of young lesbians' and gay men's identities and consequent vulnerabilities means that both these environments are potentially difficult (and even dangerous) spaces through which to access and work with them.…”