Search

The study aims to analyze marriage expectations among sexual minority youth in the United States. The possibility of marriage for same-sex couples is recent in the United States. As same-sex couples used to be excluded from getting married, LGB adults have expressed concerns about the institution of marriage and have been less likely than their heterosexual peers to consider it for themselves. However, research is lacking when considering marriage expectations and attitudes regarding marriage among LGBTQ youth. We use wave 2 of the SOGI-Q Health Study, a community sample of 542 LGBTQ youth aged 15–21 collected in 2013, a time prior to federal marriage equality. We assessed measured marriage expectations, both to a same-sex partner and to a different-sex partner, as well as attitudes regarding marriage. Results indicated that gay and lesbian youth were more likely than queer and bisexual youth to expect to get married to a same-sex partner. Individual factors (e.g., higher levels of disclosure to family members) and structural factors (e.g., knowing a married same-sex couple), were associated with higher marriage expectations to a same-sex partner. Religiosity was associated with higher expectations of marriage to a different-sex partner. Sexual identity, religiosity, disclosure, and knowing married same-sex couples were significantly associated with LGBTQ youths' expectations to marry a same-sex and/or different-sex partner, as well as their attitudes about marriage more broadly. Attitudes and expectations regarding marriage among sexual minority youth have implications for their future couple and family formation, which are broadly associated with well-being across the adult lifespan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Family members' reactions to youth identity disclosure are important predictors of well-being for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, or questioning (LGBTQ) youth. To better understand potential variation within and across families' current reactions, this study established latent profiles of family level reaction patterns and examined predictors and outcomes associated with these patterns. In 2011–2012, LGBTQ youth (N = 447, Mage = 18.8) rated their mother's, father's, brother's, and sister's reactions to their LGBTQ identity and reported their own depressive symptoms and self-esteem. Latent profile analysis tested patterns of family members' reactions. Most participants reported either moderately positive reactions (49.2%) or very positive reactions (34.0%) from all family members, though 16.8% of youth reported negative reactions from all family members. Youth social positions and demographic factors predicted profile membership: transgender youth, youth-assigned male at birth, older age at first disclosure predicted membership in the negative family reaction profile, whereas gay youth, having a parent and/or sibling with an LGBTQ identity, coresidence with either mothers, fathers, or siblings, and more years since first disclosure predicted membership in the very positive family reaction profile. Multiracial youth and younger youth were more likely to be in the moderately positive family reaction profile. Youth in families characterized by negative reactions had higher depressive symptoms and lower self-esteem compared to those who reported moderately positive or very positive reactions. Findings underscore the interconnectedness of family members' reactions and suggest that interventions for LGBTQ youth with rejecting and/or less accepting family members may need to target the entire family system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Salient practices in the parenting literature—support and control—have seldom been applied to understanding lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, or questioning (LGBTQ) youth mental health. We examine associations among perceived parental social support, psychological control, and depressive symptoms for LGBTQ youth in the United States (n = 536; Mage = 18.98; 48.1% women; 25.2% Black or African American; 37.1% Hispanic or Latino/a/x). Data were collected in 2011–2012. Results indicated joint effects of social support and psychological control predicting youth depressive symptoms. Multiple group analysis yielded a significant interaction of parenting practices for youth whose parent(s) did not know their LGBTQ identity. Findings support further consideration of parental support and control in relation to LGBTQ youth well‐being. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]