Social climate for sexual minorities predicts well-being among heterosexual offspring of lesbian and gay parents

Social climate-specifically, the level of support for sexual minorities in a given locale-helps to explain well-being among lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) individuals. No published reports have examined whether wellbeing also varies as a function of social climate for family members of LGB individuals. We present results from two studies (Study 1, n=69; Study 2, n=70) demonstrating that social climate predicts well-being among adults reared by LGB parents, regardless of their own sexual orientation. Across both studies, population characteristics (e.g., density of same-sex couples in an area) emerged as the strongest and most consistent predictors of well-being. Some variables assessing local politics (e.g., LGB hate crime policy) also predicted well-being, though these associations were less robust. Overall, findings suggest that the social environment for sexual minorities is an important correlate of psychological adjustment for many Americans, regardless of their sexual orientation.

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Work Title Social climate for sexual minorities predicts well-being among heterosexual offspring of lesbian and gay parents
Access
Open Access
Creators
  1. David J. Lick
  2. Samantha L. Tornello
  3. Rachel G. Riskind
  4. Karen M. Schmidt
  5. Charlotte J. Patterson
Keyword
  1. Lesbian- and gay-parent families
  2. Social climate
  3. Social policy
  4. Minority stress
License In Copyright (Rights Reserved)
Work Type Article
Publisher
  1. Sexuality Research and Social Policy
Publication Date March 7, 2012
Publisher Identifier (DOI)
  1. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13178-012-0081-6
Deposited June 14, 2023

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Version 1
published

  • Created
  • Added Lick_Tornello_Riskind_Schmidt_Patterson_Sex_roles_Soc_Policy_Social_Climate_for_sexual_minorities_predicts.pdf
  • Added Creator David J. Lick
  • Added Creator Samantha L. Tornello
  • Added Creator Rachel G. Riskind
  • Added Creator Karen M. Schmidt
  • Added Creator Charlotte J. Patterson
  • Published
  • Updated Keyword, Publisher, Publication Date Show Changes
    Keyword
    • Lesbian- and gay-parent families, Social climate, Social policy, Minority stress
    Publisher
    • Sexuality Research and Social Policy: Journal of NSRC
    • Sexuality Research and Social Policy
    Publication Date
    • 2012-06-01
    • 2012-03-07
  • Updated