The comparison of attachment styles among Iranian lesbian, gay, and bisexual and heterosexual people

Attachment avoidance and parenthood desires in gay men and lesbians and their heterosexual counterparts

“…Higher attachment avoidance in GL as shown here is consistent with recent preliminary findings indicating more insecure attachment among GL in comparison to heterosexual counterparts (Nematy & Oloomi, 2016). However, our results are the first to directly pinpoint the attachment avoidance vulnerability that may characterise gay men and lesbians.…”

“…The findings have tended to reveal no differences in attachment styles between these populations (Kurdek, 2002;Ridge & Feeney, 1998). Given the recent literature on possible attachment style change, the theoretical assumptions of a link between attachment avoidance and oppression and discrimination, and the preliminary findings suggesting more insecure attachment among GL in comparison to heterosexual controls (Nematy & Oloomi, 2016), the current study expected there should be greater attachment avoidance among GL than in their heterosexual counterparts Attachment avoidance and the desire to be a parent Although attachment style among GL has been studied in the context of gay identity formation (Elizur & Mintzer, 2003), minority stress (Zakalik & Wei, 2006), relationship quality (Mohr, Selterman, & Fassinger, 2013) and commitment (Kurdek, 2002), it has not been examined in the context of parenthood desires. Among heterosexual men and women, studies have shown that insecure attachment was related to less desire to have children among non-parents (e.g.…”

Sexual and gender minority health in the Middle East and North Africa Region: A scoping review

“…Compared to heterosexuals, sexual minority individuals reported higher levels of anxiety ( Nematy and Oloomi, 2016 ), social isolation, feelings of defectiveness/shame, and emotional inhibition ( Nematy et al., 2014 ). There was no significant difference in attachment styles (defined as closeness, dependency, and anxiety) between bisexual/lesbian women and gay men ( Nematy and Oloomi, 2016 ). It is notable that this was the only study in which researchers reported data on mental health among sexual minority women.…”

“…Sexual minority individuals whose families were not aware of their sexual identity scored significantly higher on social isolation, vulnerability to harm/illness, and emotional inhibition than those whose families were aware ( Nematy et al., 2014 ). Although sexual minority participants generally endorsed low levels of internalized homonegativity ( Michli and El, 2020 ), those who reported less comfort with their sexual identities reported higher levels of anxiety ( Nematy and Oloomi, 2016 ). Sexual minority individuals also reported high levels of parental rejection ( Michli and El, 2020 ) and significant conflicts and tensions between their sexual and religious identities ( Scull and Mousa, 2017 ).…”

The Mediating Role of Attachment Avoidance in the Association between Sexual Orientation and Mental Health

“…Whereas adult attachment research traditionally suggested that attachment style is relatively stable and even partially heritable (Picardi, Fagnani, Nisticò, & Stazi, 2011), researchers have also explored attachment instability and predictors of attachment style change, under the assumption that working models of attachment can vary in response to watershed experiences with significant others (Bowlby, 1988;Davila, Burge, & Hammen, 1997). In the context of sexual orientation, it was suggested that negative parental reactions to a child's coming out process may change his or her working models of attachment, leading to the adoption of a more avoidant viewpoint on the environment (Mohr & Fassinger, 2003;Mohr & Jackson, 2016). In the same vein, it was suggested that the hardships experienced by many members of sexual minorities such as harassment, bullying, and rejection, may lead to further reliance on avoidant strategies, which may eventually affect relationships through greater avoidance of intimacy and interdependence (Landolt, Bartholomew, Saffrey, Oram, & Perlman, 2004).…”