The idea that parents play an important role in shaping their children's identities is widely accepted within psychology. Parents are seen as key influencers in terms of providing guidance, support, and validation for developing self-esteem, self-concept, and personal sense of belonging.
Little research has explored how these factors specifically affect LGBT individuals' identity development, mental health, and resilience. This article will examine the ways in which parental attitudes towards LGBT children may contribute to positive or negative outcomes during adolescence and young adulthood.
Supportive parents
According to one study, having supportive parents can have a significant impact on the well-being and development of LGBT youth. The study found that when parents offered acceptance and understanding, youth were more likely to report higher levels of life satisfaction, better academic achievement, and less substance abuse than those who did not receive such support.
Youth who felt validated and supported by their parents reported greater social connectedness and lower rates of depression and anxiety.
Rejecting parents
Rejecting parents have been shown to have detrimental effects on LGBT youth. Research suggests that rejection from parents can lead to increased feelings of isolation, alienation, and loneliness. One study found that LGBT youth whose parents rejected them were twice as likely to attempt suicide compared to their peers with accepting families. Another study found that rejection led to poorer emotional regulation skills, higher levels of stress, and decreased self-worth.
Ambivalence
Ambivalent parents - those who express both supportive and rejecting attitudes toward their child's sexuality - may also have mixed effects. While some research suggests that these parents provide a sense of stability and security for their children, others argue that this mixed message is confusing and damaging.
If parents offer conditional love based on behavior change or maintain traditional gender roles within the family unit, it can create an unstable environment where children feel constantly scrutinized and judged. This can lead to feelings of shame, guilt, and low self-esteem.
How do parental support, rejection, or ambivalence shape long-term identity development, mental health, and resilience among LGBT individuals?
Parental rejection can have significant impact on an individual's overall wellbeing as they develop their sense of self and identity. Studies show that when parents reject their children due to their sexual orientation, it may lead to feelings of shame, low self-esteem, depression, anxiety, and social isolation which can negatively affect a child's ability to form positive relationships with others (Klein et al. , 2018).