ERIC Number: EJ933289
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2011-Jan
Pages: 12
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0022-0167
EISSN: N/A
Stigma, Social Context, and Mental Health: Lesbian and Gay Couples across the Transition to Adoptive Parenthood
Goldberg, Abbie E.; Smith, JuliAnna Z.
Journal of Counseling Psychology, v58 n1 p139-150 Jan 2011
This is the first study to examine change in depression and anxiety across the first year of adoptive parenthood in same-sex couples (90 couples: 52 lesbian, 38 gay male). Given that sexual minorities uniquely contend with sexual orientation-related stigma, this study examined how both internalized and enacted forms of stigma affect the mental health of lesbians and gay men during the transition to parenthood. In addition, the role of contextual support was examined. Higher perceived workplace support, family support, and relationship quality were related to lower depressive and anxious symptoms at the time of the adoption, and higher perceived friend support was related to lower anxiety symptoms. Lower internalized homophobia and higher perceived neighborhood gay-friendliness were related to lower depressive symptoms. Finally, individuals with high internalized homophobia who lived in states with unfavorable legal climates regarding gay adoption experienced the steepest increases in depressive and anxious symptoms. Findings have important implications for counselors working with sexual minorities, especially those experiencing the transition to parenthood. (Contains 2 figures, 2 tables, and 4 footnotes.)
Descriptors: Mental Health, Parents, Homosexuality, Social Environment, Depression (Psychology), Anxiety, Social Attitudes, Social Bias, Mental Disorders, Adoption, Child Rearing, Social Support Groups, Work Environment, Family Relationship, Correlation, Symptoms (Individual Disorders), Neighborhoods, Social Influences, Peer Relationship
American Psychological Association. Journals Department, 750 First Street NE, Washington, DC 20002-4242. Tel: 800-374-2721; Tel: 202-336-5510; Fax: 202-336-5502; e-mail: order@apa.org; Web site: http://www.apa.org/publications
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Assessments and Surveys: Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale; State Trait Anxiety Inventory
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A