Higher Levels of Postnatal Depressive Symptomatology, Post-Traumatic Growth, and Life Satisfaction among Gay Fathers through Surrogacy in Comparison to Heterosexual Fathers: A Study in Israel in Times of COVID-19

Shenkman, Geva; Levy, Sigal; Winkler, Ziv Ben-Dor; Bass, Doriel; Geller, Shulamit

doi:10.3390/ijerph19137946

Cited by 4 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 65 publications

(88 reference statements)

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“…The present study was conducted in the familistic and pronatalist context of Israel, where parenthood (irrespective of one's sexual orientation) implies entry into the social consensus, linked with positive psychological outcomes (Shenkman et al, 2021;Tsfati & Ben-Ari, 2019). For sexual minority people, the process of overcoming legal, financial, and bureaucratic hardships to become a parent may result in a sense of triumph, growth, and accomplishment, which might protect against adverse mental health (Shenkman et al, 2022b). Additionally, it may be linked to better psychological well-being (Erez & Shenkman, 2016;Shenkman et al, 2020b).…”

Section: Mental Health Differences Between Same-gendered and Differen...mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…However, it remains unknown whether positivity might mediate the relation between parents' sexual orientation (i.e., lesbian vs. heterosexual) and mental health. Evidence on the role played by positivity in counteracting adverse mental health among lesbian mothers may contribute to the literature on the strengths and adaptation of sexual minority parents (e.g., Shenkman et al, 2022b;Shenkman et al,2020b), as well as the literature on the protective mechanisms of positivity with respect to mental health vulnerability in challenging times, such as the COVID-19 pandemic (Thartori et al, 2021).…”

Section: Positivity Mental Health and Parents' Sexual Orientationmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Cronbach's alphas were 0.81 and 0.83 for lesbian mothers and heterosexual parents, respectively. The instrument was proven to have very good psychometric properties and was widely used worldwide and in Israel (Pavot & Diener, 1993;Shenkman et al, 2022b).…”

Section: Life Satisfactionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…So doing, the study echoes the call to further investigate resiliency factors among sexual minorities as a research agenda (e.g., Prendergast & MacPhee, 2018;. The outcome variable of mental health was indicated by both a negative (i.e., depressive symptomatology) and a positive (i.e., life satisfaction) aspect, as is typical for this field of research (e.g., Shenkman & Shmotkin, 2020), and in which the use of both polarities of mental health may serve as a comprehensive point of view of one's well-being (e.g., Shenkman et al, 2022b;Shmotkin, 2005).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Mental Health Disparities Between Lesbian Mothers and Heterosexual Parents: the Mediating Role of Positivity

et al. 2023

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Introduction Previous evidence has shown better mental health outcomes for lesbian mothers, in comparison with heterosexual parents. The present study explored the mediating role of positivity (i.e., the tendency to view life with a positive outlook) in determining these mental health differences. Methods Seventy-two Israeli lesbian mothers by donor insemination (from 36 families) were compared with 72 Israeli heterosexual parents by assisted reproduction (without donated gametes; from 36 families) on positivity, life satisfaction, and depressive symptomatology. All parents were cisgender and had at least one child born through assisted reproduction, aged 3-10 years. Data were collected between December 2019 and February 2021. Results Mediational analyses indicated that lesbian mothers reported greater positivity, which was, in turn, associated with greater life satisfaction and less depressive symptomatology. Conclusions The results pinpoint the possible protective and strengthening role of positivity for lesbian mothers in the pronatalist and familistic environment of Israel. The research contributes to the literature on the mental health of parents with diverse sexual orientations living outside of the USA and Europe. Policy ImplicationsPolicymakers and mental health professional should be knowledgeable about the importance of improving positivity as a strategy for reducing depressive symptomatology and promoting life satisfaction among lesbian mothers. Moreover, policy makers and legislators are called to ease the access of sexual minority individuals to parenthood, as in this population parenthood associates with heightened mental health outcomes.

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Section: Mental Health Differences Between Same-gendered and Differen...mentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Positivity Mental Health and Parents' Sexual Orientationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Life Satisfactionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Mental Health Disparities Between Lesbian Mothers and Heterosexual Parents: the Mediating Role of Positivity

et al. 2023

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“…Such work, and the theoretical modelling of Fantus and Newman [10], has served to highlight the wide range of unique experiences, issues, and factors that shape gay men's procreative identities in the context of surrogacy. To date, however, much of the extant research on gay fatherhood has tended to focus on issues of resilience, with much less work considering experiences of psychological distress [11].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A relational investigation of Israeli gay fathers’ experiences of surrogacy, early parenthood, and mental health in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic

et al. 2023

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Perinatal distress affects approximately 10% of fathers, but little is known about how gay fathers experience the challenges surrounding childbirth and early parenting of a child. This study explored gay fathers’ experiences of having a baby via transnational surrogacy, raising that baby as a gay parent, and the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. In-depth qualitative interviews were conducted with 15 Israeli men to understand their experiences of surrogacy and early parenthood, focusing on the impact on their mental health and the relational factors involved. Secondary narrative analysis revealed that fathers constructed surrogacy as a perilous quest that required strong intentionality to undertake. The first year of parenthood was conceptualised alternately as a joyful experience and/or one that challenged fathers’ identities and mental health. A relational framework was applied to better conceptualise the fathers’ narratives, revealing that actual connections—and the potentials for links—considerably shaped experiences of surrogacy, perinatal distress and recovery. Implications for research and policy are discussed.

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Single fathers’ experiences of using egg donation and surrogacy to start a family

Jones,

Jadva,

Zadeh

et al. 2023

Human Reproduction

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STUDY QUESTION What are the experiences of single men using egg donation and surrogacy as a route to parenthood? SUMMARY ANSWER The fathers mainly had a positive relationship with the surrogate and simultaneously exercised agency, and experienced challenges, during the process of surrogacy. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY Little is known about single men’s experiences of egg donation and surrogacy arrangements. Studies have focused on single men’s decision-making processes about the use of surrogacy and family functioning once these families are formed. Questions remain about how fathers experience and navigate the process of surrogacy as a single man. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION The study is an international, in-depth qualitative study of fathers who chose to begin a family and parent alone. Data were collected between 2018 and 2021 as part of a larger study of solo fathers with different routes to parenthood. The present study reports on 21 fathers who used surrogacy and egg donation to begin their family. The average age of the fathers was 44 years, the fathers had young children aged 6 years or younger, and lived in countries across Australia, Europe, and North America. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS Purposive sampling was used to recruit participants. In-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted. Interview topics included fathers’ experiences of the process of using egg donation and surrogacy, and navigating the relationship with the surrogate. The audio-recorded interviews lasted around 2 hours and were subsequently transcribed verbatim. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE Data were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis and qualitative content analysis. Most of the fathers chose an identifiable egg donor. Regarding the relationship with the surrogate, many fathers had remained in contact with her, but to differing degrees, and they generally reported positive relationships. Thematic analysis led to the identification of three themes relating to the fathers’ experiences of choosing surrogacy as a single man: the ability to make choices; challenges and constraints; and special relationship. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION Due to the variation between different countries regarding laws on surrogacy, contextual factors may have impacted on the experiences of single fathers, and the sample size was small. However, the research provides new insights into an area with little academic literature. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS Given the growing trend of single men having children through surrogacy, the findings suggest that this new path to parenthood can be both rewarding and challenging. Single men may benefit from tailored support and counselling to help them navigate the surrogacy journey. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S) This study was funded by the Wellcome Trust (grant number 208013/Z/17/Z). The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER n/a

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Higher Levels of Postnatal Depressive Symptomatology, Post-Traumatic Growth, and Life Satisfaction among Gay Fathers through Surrogacy in Comparison to Heterosexual Fathers: A Study in Israel in Times of COVID-19

Cited by 4 publications

References 65 publications

Mental Health Disparities Between Lesbian Mothers and Heterosexual Parents: the Mediating Role of Positivity

Mental Health Disparities Between Lesbian Mothers and Heterosexual Parents: the Mediating Role of Positivity

A relational investigation of Israeli gay fathers’ experiences of surrogacy, early parenthood, and mental health in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic

Single fathers’ experiences of using egg donation and surrogacy to start a family

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