Parental Reactions to Their Child's Sexual Orientation Disclosure: A Family Stress Perspective

Willoughby, Brian L. B.; Doty, Nathan D.; Malik, Neena

doi:10.1080/15295190701830680

Cited by 69 publications

(101 citation statements)

References 60 publications

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“…It is believed by some that when children come out of the closet, it's the parents' turn to become the Downloaded by [Gebze Yuksek Teknoloji Enstitïsu ] at 11:07 22 December 2014 closeted ones, because the parents feel they must keep their child's sexual orientation secret from friends and family or risk being socially ostracized (Boxer, Cook, & Herdt, 1991;Taiwan Tongzhi Hotline, 2003;Willoughby et al, 2008). However, it is not clear how typical it is for parents to "go into the closet," how readily they later accept and adjust to their child's sexual orientation, and what influences help them to do so.…”

Section: Parents' Reactionsmentioning

confidence: 98%

“…Coming out to others may Taiwanese Mothers' Reactions to Gay Children 155 also imply the desire to establish closer, more open and trusting relationships with friends, colleagues, and family members (Phillips & Ancis, 2008;Savin-Williams, 2001). For LGB individuals, parental reactions to their sexual coming out are typically very important (Carpineto, Kubicek, Weiss, Iverson, & Kipke, 2008;Gibson, Schlosser, & Brockmurray, 2008;Willoughby, Doty, & Malik, 2008). Wong and Tang (2004) found that perceived rejection from family members was associated with high levels of psychosocial distress among a group of young Chinese gay men.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 94%

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Taiwanese Mothers' Reactions to Learning That Their Child is Lesbian or Gay: An Exploratory Study

Lin

Hudley

2009

Journal of LGBT Issues in Counseling

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Relatively few empirical studies have been conducted on parents' reactions to learning that their daughter or son is lesbian or gay, and very little is known about parents from outside the United States. Eight mothers in Taiwan participated in interviews regarding their reactions to learning about their daughter's or son's nontraditional sexual orientations and identities. In Taiwan, these sexual orientations and identities are collectively known as Tongzhi. Qualitative analyses suggested that participants generally accepted their child's Tongzhi orientation and identity. The mothers also reported having a close relationship with their Tongzhi child and were concerned about the negative biases against lesbian women and gay men in current Taiwan society. Implications of the findings were discussed.

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Section: Parents' Reactionsmentioning

confidence: 98%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 94%

Taiwanese Mothers' Reactions to Learning That Their Child is Lesbian or Gay: An Exploratory Study

Lin

Hudley

2009

Journal of LGBT Issues in Counseling

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“…55,56 Willoughby et al applied family stress theory to parental reactions to their children’s sexual orientation disclosure, proposing that reactions may depend on the availability of family-level resources (e.g., relational competencies) 57,58 to manage stress, meanings that parents attributed to the stressful event (e.g., believing that sexual orientation is a choice), and co-occurring stressors (e.g., divorce, major illness). 59 Although these theories are useful for understanding parents’ reactions to their child’s sexual orientation disclosure, some researchers have proposed that these models are limited in that they may not describe the reaction of all parents, account for developmental change in reactions over time, or consider the experiences of the child. 53 …”

Section: Parental Reactions To Youths’ Lgbt Disclosurementioning

confidence: 99%

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Youth and Family Acceptance

Katz-Wise

Rosario

Tsappis³

2016

Pediatric Clinics of North America

239

116

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Summary In this article, we address theories of attachment and parental acceptance and rejection, and their implications for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) youths’ identity and health. We also provide two clinical cases to illustrate the process of family acceptance of a transgender youth and a gender nonconforming youth who was neither a sexual minority nor transgender. Clinical implications of family acceptance and rejection of LGBT youth are discussed.

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“…Parents often react negatively to their child s coming out (D’augelli, Grossman, & Starks, 2008) including reactions of shock, rejection and grief that has been described as mirroring the process of bereavement following a death in the family (LaSala, 2000; Willoughby, Doty & Malik, 2008). In a study of the lived experiences of gay men in coming out to their parents, Machado (2015) describes the strain in parent-child relationships following disclosure.…”

Section: Risk Of Hiv and Depression Among Hispanic Msmmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Impact of Parental Reaction to Sexual Orientation on Depressive Symptoms and Sexual Risk Behavior Among Hispanic Men Who Have Sex with Men

Mitrani

Santis

McCabe

et al. 2017

Archives of Psychiatric Nursing

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Purpose This study examined the relationship of parent reaction to sexual orientation with depressive symptoms and safer sex among Hispanic adult men who have sex with men (MSM). We also examined men s acculturation to the U.S. (Americanism) in relation with these variables. Method Cross-sectional data collected from July 2011 to December 2012, from 125 MSM with a mean age of 43.02 years. Instruments included the Perceived Parent Reaction Scale, the Centers for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale, the Safer Sex Behavior Questionnaire and the Bidimensional Acculturation Scale. Data was analyzed using Hierarchical generalized linear models (GZLM). Results Among men whose parents knew of their sexual orientation, rejection of son s sexual orientation from mother (p=.032) and from father (p=.004) was related to higher number of depressive symptoms. Parent reactions were not directly related to safer sex behaviors. Americanism was associated with lower depressive symptoms (p=.001) but was not related to safer sex behaviors. Conclusions Current parent attitudes about their sons sexual orientation had an effect on the sons emotional wellbeing and acculturation may play a protective role. Mental health and primary care clinicians working with Hispanic MSM should assess for level of family support and provide resources to assist with disclosure and family acceptance of sexual orientation as indicated, particularly among recently immigrated men who may be at higher risk.

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Parental Reactions to Their Child's Sexual Orientation Disclosure: A Family Stress Perspective

Cited by 69 publications

References 60 publications

Taiwanese Mothers' Reactions to Learning That Their Child is Lesbian or Gay: An Exploratory Study

Taiwanese Mothers' Reactions to Learning That Their Child is Lesbian or Gay: An Exploratory Study

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Youth and Family Acceptance

The Impact of Parental Reaction to Sexual Orientation on Depressive Symptoms and Sexual Risk Behavior Among Hispanic Men Who Have Sex with Men

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