Publication Date
2014-06-13
Availability
Open access
Embargo Period
2014-06-13
Degree Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy (PHD)
Department
Psychology (Arts and Sciences)
Date of Defense
2013-12-09
First Committee Member
Kristin Lindahl
Second Committee Member
Neena Malik
Third Committee Member
Amy Weisman de Mamani
Fourth Committee Member
Brian Doss
Fifth Committee Member
Rebecca Shearer
Abstract
Coming out to parents is a significant milestone for lesbian, gay, or bisexual (LGB) youth, and negative reactions can be detrimental to youth functioning. However, it is not yet clear what factors are related to parental rejection. This longitudinal study examines if parent homonegativity and religiosity predict parental reactions to youth disclosure of same-sex attractions, and if these reactions predict youth psychosocial maladjustment and spirituality. Participants consist of 173 youth (ages 14-24) and one parent to whom they have come out. Structural equation modeling is used to examine the hypothesis that parental homonegativity and religiosity predict more negative reactions to sexual orientation disclosure, and that more negative reactions predict poorer psychosocial functioning, less drug and alcohol use, and less spirituality in youth. The final model was found to fit the data well. The data generally indicated that homonegative parents were more rejecting and that youth experiencing more severe parent rejection had worse psychosocial outcomes. The implications for mental health professionals working with LGB youth and their families are discussed.
Keywords
LGBTQ; parent rejection; religiosity; homonegativity; coming out; mental health
Recommended Citation
Page, Matthew John Louis, "Longitudinal Predictors and Effects of Parental Rejection of Sexual Minority Youth" (2014). Open Access Dissertations. 1234.
https://scholarlyrepository.miami.edu/oa_dissertations/1234