Date of Conferral

10-3-2024

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Psychology

Advisor

Michael Langlais

Abstract

During periods of heightened political intensity, gay individuals experience increases in discrimination and prejudice, impacting their mental health, making the need for advocacy and support, particularly from parents and guardians, vital. Recent research shows that parent–child relationships can be heavily influenced by politics and the intensity of their political beliefs. Historically, conservative views have been associated with anti-gay sentiment, which can exacerbate gay individuals’ mental health, leading to familial discord, depression, self-harm, and suicide, whereas liberal views have been associated with supporting gay rights and decreasing mental health disparities. However, prior research has not explored the specific role of parental political intensity in influencing mental health outcomes among gay individuals. It is also not clear whether parental age will moderate the interaction between the two variables. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between parental political intensity and gay individuals’ mental health, and the moderation of parental age. Intersectionality theory and Bronfenbrenner’s ecological systems theory grounded this study. One hundred thirty-three participants were recruited from social media pages and agreed to complete an online survey. Using regression analysis, this study found that there was no relationship between parental political intensity and gay individuals’ mental health, and parental age did not moderate this relationship. This study promotes positive social change by bringing awareness to policymakers, mental health professionals, and educators about the importance of facilitating discussions that promote inclusive and supportive environments for gay individuals.

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