Sexual Orientation, Parental Support, and Health During the Transition to Young Adulthood

Abstract

Some recent studies suggest that sexual minorities may have worse health-related outcomes during adolescence because they report lower levels of family connectedness, a key protective resource. Using data from wave 3 of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (n = 11,153; 50.6% female; mean age = 21.8 years), this study extends prior research on adolescents to young adults. We examine whether lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) young adults report lower levels of parental support than their heterosexual peers and whether differences in parental support help explain why LGB young adults tend to have worse health-related outcomes. We find that lesbian and bisexual women report lower levels of parental support than heterosexual women and that gay men report lower levels of parental support than bisexual and heterosexual men. Compared to heterosexual women, lesbian and bisexual women have higher odds of suicidal thoughts and recent drug use; bisexual women also have higher odds of elevated depressive symptomatology and heavy drinking. Gay men have higher odds of suicidal thoughts than heterosexual men. With the exception of heavy drinking, parental support either partially or fully mediates each of the observed associations. Even though the transition from adolescence to young adulthood is characterized by increased independence from parents, parental support remains an important correlate of health-related outcomes during this stage of life. Sexual minorities report lower levels of parental support during young adulthood, which helps explain why they have worse health-related outcomes. Interventions designed to strengthen relationships between LGB young adults and their parents could lead to a reduction in health disparities related to sexual orientation.

Abordagem da sexualidade no diálogo entre pais e adolescentes

“…As typically observed in most Western societies, sexuality is repressed among women, and consequently, women must live sexuality in a foisted and limited manner, with prohibitions and prudery, which contributes to the increased lack of clarification. (14,15) The father can have little participation in conversations about sexuality and contraception. (12) In addition, the father assumes a more inaccessible, disciplining, and less permissible posture compared with the mother's posture, particularly with daughters.…”

“…This factor is strongly cultural and has a direct influence on adolescents' experience of sexuality. (9,15) Analysis of the speeches indicated the parents' strong preventive discourse, covering primarily issues related to pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases. This concern is caused by the increasing number of teenage pregnancies each year, coupled with the large number of abortions and sexually transmitted diseases, including acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), among adolescents.…”

“…In the absence of parents, the roles of the school and health professionals become decisive, particularly for clarifying issues related to contraception and disease prevention. (15) Sexuality is considered one of the basic human needs and should be experienced in a comprehensive and healthy manner. (16) Nurses are responsible for developing participatory educational practices, which may involve the family, its particularities and opinions, and should take into consideration the historical, political, economic, and sociocultural contexts.…”

Family violence against gay and lesbian adolescents and young people: a qualitative study

“…International studies show that how the family reacts to the disclosure of sexual orientation influences the quality of life and health of gays and lesbians, for example, negative reactions of family members are associated with lower social support and higher incidence of health problems such as anxiety, depression, suicidal ideation, and excessive alcohol consumption (1)(2)(3) . It is not, therefore, a process restricted to the individual field of people, but it involves the collectivity and, consequently, the professionals and health services that serve the LGBT population.…”

Gender, Space, and Objects in Divorced Families

“…We seek to tie this body of work to its manifestations in material culture (physical artifacts that hold social meaning in people"s lives) and home spaces by applying a symbolic interactionist approach to an analysis of in-depth interviews and surveys from 22 young adults in the Pacific Northwest whose parents divorced while they were children or adolescents. Young adulthood (late teens and early twenties) is a particularly useful developmental stage in which to ask about past divorce experiences because it is a time when identity salience and behavior patterns and roles stabilize (Needham & Austin, 2010).…”