The kids are OK: it is discrimination not same‐sex parents that harms children

Knight, Ken; Stephenson, Sarah E. M.; West, Sue; Delatycki, Martin B.; Jones, Cheryl; Little, Melissa H.; Patton, George C.; Sawyer, Susan Μ; Skinner, S. Rachel; Telfer, Michelle; Wake, Melissa; North, Klaus; Oberklaid, Frank

doi:10.5694/mja17.00943

Cited by 16 publications

(15 citation statements)

References 19 publications

(36 reference statements)

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“…Furthermore, the findings have clinical implications for psychologists and other mental health professionals who treat LGB-identifying clients. Clinicians should assess their clients' exposure to and perceptions of stigmatising media messages, and should consider developing their clients' abilities to recognise and critically evaluate public and social media, which often contains misrepresentations and inaccurate information about gender identity and sexuality (Knight et al, 2017). Additionally, clinicians should assess their clients' perceptions of sexuality-related support (or opposition) within the client's immediate social network as a potential source of psychopathology.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Clinicians should assess their clients' exposure to and perceptions of stigmatising media messages, and should consider developing their clients' abilities to recognise and critically evaluate public and social media, which often contains misrepresentations and inaccurate information about gender identity and sexuality (Knight et al, 2017). Marriage amendment legislations, and the accompanying public debates about same-sex marriage, can adversely affect the psychological wellbeing of LGB populations by exposing them to stigmatising media messages.…”

Section: Notementioning

confidence: 99%

“…Many marriage equality advocates argued that the opposing side of these public debates, which often promoted prejudice and discrimination, would have adversely affected the mental health of lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) Australians (Knight et al, 2017). An analysis of Australian media coverage produced during this period found 17,740 media items on the topic of same-sex marriage, which reached a cumulative audience of over 475 million people (Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2018b).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…An analysis of Australian media coverage produced during this period found 17,740 media items on the topic of same-sex marriage, which reached a cumulative audience of over 475 million people (Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2018b). Many marriage equality advocates argued that the opposing side of these public debates, which often promoted prejudice and discrimination, would have adversely affected the mental health of lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) Australians (Knight et al, 2017). Similar concerns were also voiced by numerous mental health authorities and government agencies, including the Australian Psychological Society (2016) and the National Mental Health Commission (2017).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

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Minority stress, social support, and the mental health of lesbian, gay, and bisexual Australians during the Australian Marriage Law Postal Survey

Verrelli

White

Harvey

et al. 2019

Australian Psychologist

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Objective The current study examined the relationship between minority stress, social support, and the mental health of lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) Australians during the Australian Marriage Law Postal Survey. Method A sample of 1,305 Australian LGB adults completed an online survey that measured their frequency of exposure to negative and positive media messages about same‐sex marriage, perceived personal support, and psychological distress during the postal survey. Results More frequent exposure to negative media messages about same‐sex marriage was associated with greater psychological distress. This association, however, was significantly weaker amongst participants who perceived greater personal support for same‐sex marriage from their immediate social network. Alternatively, exposure to positive messages of public support via public and social media was not associated with psychological distress, and did not moderate the association between negative media message exposure and psychological distress. Nonetheless, more frequent exposure to public support was more strongly associated with reduced psychological distress amongst participants who perceived their immediate social network to be less supportive of same‐sex marriage. Conclusions The findings highlight how legislative processes related to the rights of stigmatised, minority populations have the potential to adversely affect their mental health. The findings also highlight the role of personal and public support as protective factors against minority stress. Within the limits of a cross‐sectional study design, these findings have implications for public policy and legislative decision‐making, treating clinicians of LGB clients, and LGB rights and mental health organisations.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Notementioning

confidence: 99%

mentioning

confidence: 99%

mentioning

confidence: 99%

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Minority stress, social support, and the mental health of lesbian, gay, and bisexual Australians during the Australian Marriage Law Postal Survey

Verrelli

White

Harvey

et al. 2019

Australian Psychologist

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“…During the survey period, negative messages about LGBTIQ people and their relationships appeared frequently in the Australian media and LGBTIQ people and their allies reported they were exposed to negative messages in the media on a daily basis (Ecker & Bennett, ). Stigmatising rhetoric about LGBTIQ people was common in debates in families, workplaces, and communities (Knight et al, ). Within weeks of the announcement of the postal survey, demand for LGBTIQ focused counselling support services increased (Perkins, ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Impact of the Australian marriage equality postal survey and debate on psychological distress among lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex and queer/questioning people and allies

Ecker¹,

Riggle

Rostosky

et al. 2019

Australian Journal of Psychology

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Objective: In August 2017, the Australian Government announced a voluntary, non-binding postal survey to seek opinion on the legal recognition of same-sex marriage. The government encouraged public debate on the issue. This study sought to identify impacts of the Australian postal survey and associated marriage equality debate on psychological distress experienced by lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, and queer/questioning (LGBTIQ) people and their allies. Method:LGBTIQ identified people (n = 5,742) and people who identified as allies of LGBTIQ (n = 1,648) were recruited via social media to complete an online questionnaire administered during the survey and debate period. Participants completed demographic items, and measures of debate-related stress, prior experiences of depression, stress and anxiety, prior stressful life events, and psychological distress. Results:LGBTIQ people and allies reported high levels of debate-related stress, which was moderately and positively correlated with psychological distress. Comparison of means and correlation coefficients, and a preliminary multiple regression model suggested that LGBTIQ and allies experienced debate-related stress differently. Therefore, separate hierarchical regressions were performed for the groups. Debate-related stress accounted for unique variance in psychological distress in each group after accounting for prior life stress, prior psychological distress, and demographic variables. Conclusions: Debate-related stress predicted psychological distress for both LGBTIQ people and allies. Findings suggest that the marriage equality debate represented an acute external minority stress event that had measurable negative impacts on mental health of LGBTIQ people and their allies.

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Perspectives on Sexual Behaviour

Chikovore,

Sooryamoorthy

2023

Sustainable Development Goals Series

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The kids are OK: it is discrimination not same‐sex parents that harms children

Cited by 16 publications

References 19 publications

Minority stress, social support, and the mental health of lesbian, gay, and bisexual Australians during the Australian Marriage Law Postal Survey

Minority stress, social support, and the mental health of lesbian, gay, and bisexual Australians during the Australian Marriage Law Postal Survey

Impact of the Australian marriage equality postal survey and debate on psychological distress among lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex and queer/questioning people and allies

Perspectives on Sexual Behaviour

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