Date of Conferral

1-1-2021

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Counselor Education and Supervision

Advisor

Jill Bryant

Abstract

Current research about parents of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, or questioning (LGBTQ) children does not provide insight into whether attitudes towards sexual minorities, relational self-esteem, and sex-role stereotypes predict parents’ emotional responses when learning their child is LGBTQ. The purpose of the study was to investigate factors influencing parental responses when learning about their children’s LGBTQ identities using the social identity theory. The research questions were (a) are there statistically significant relationships between parental responses, negative attitudes toward sexual minorities, parents’ relational self-esteem, and sex-role attitudes and (b) do negative attitudes toward sexual minorities, parents’ relational self-esteem, and sex-role attitudes individually or collectively predict parents’ emotional responses. A quantitative survey research design was used to gather data from 96 parents with LGBTQ children who disclosed their nonheterosexuality within the past 5 years. Using SPSS, correlational and regression analysis found a statistically significant relationship between parental negative affect and relational self-esteem (Pearson’s r = -.380, p < .01) with a medium effect size (f2 = .20). Relational self-esteem was a significant predictor of negative parental responses (F (1, 94) = 926.980, p < .001) with an R2 of .135. The findings contribute to social change by implying that relational self-esteem, developed through their relationships with others, was predictive of negative parental responses, which can inform clinicians’ work with families with LGBTQ children. Further research about relational self-esteem and its impact on individuals and families would reveal further insights about parental experiences when learning their child is a sexual minority.

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