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Shenkman G, Itzhak SB. Estimated likelihood of parenthood among sexual minority individuals associates with interpersonal vulnerability and traumatic outlook. J Reprod Infant Psychol 2024; 42:636-652. [PMID: 36703131 DOI: 10.1080/02646838.2023.2171563] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2022] [Accepted: 10/22/2022] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Lesbian women and gay men (LG) tend to report lower levels of parenthood aspiration than their heterosexual counterparts. While several variables have been suggested to explain this phenomenon, no study has investigated the potential mediating role of interpersonal vulnerability and subjective traumatic outlook in the association between sexual orientation and the estimated likelihood of parenthood. OBJECTIVE To investigate whether interpersonal vulnerability and subjective traumatic outlook mediate the association between sexual orientation and a lower estimated likelihood of parenthood. METHODS A sample of 435 childfree, cisgender Israeli participants, aged 18-49 years (M = 27.82, SD = 4.47), were recruited through convenience sampling. 192 participants self-reported as LG (64 lesbian women and 128 gay men). Participants completed online questionnaires assessing their estimated likelihood of parenthood, interpersonal vulnerability, and subjective traumatic outlook. Mediation analyses were performed using the PROCESS macro. RESULTS LG individuals reported a lower estimated likelihood of parenthood than their heterosexual counterparts. Interpersonal vulnerability and subjective traumatic outlook significantly mediated the association between sexual orientation and a lower estimated likelihood of parenthood. CONCLUSIONS Despite improvement in the socio-political climate relating to sexual minority rights and access to fertility technologies, LG individuals are still more likely to report a lower estimated likelihood of parenthood in comparison to heterosexual individuals. Moreover, this gap appears to be partially mediated by interpersonal vulnerability and subjective traumatic outlook. The results contribute to the growing body of international research exploring family formation among sexual minority individuals and are relevant for researchers, clinicians, and policymakers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Geva Shenkman
- Baruch Ivcher School of Psychology, Reichman University (IDC Herzliya), Herzliya, Israel
| | - Shay Ben Itzhak
- Baruch Ivcher School of Psychology, Reichman University (IDC Herzliya), Herzliya, Israel
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Sommantico M, Lacatena M, Ramaglia F. Romantic Attachment, Relationship Satisfaction, Internalized Sexual Stigma, and Motives for Parenthood in Italian Lesbian Women and Gay Men. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:6381. [PMID: 37510613 PMCID: PMC10379054 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20146381] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2023] [Accepted: 07/13/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023]
Abstract
This study examines romantic attachment, internalized sexual stigma, relationship satisfaction, and motives for parenthood in a sample of 313 Italian lesbian women (47.9%) and gay men (52.1%) aged 18-71 years (M = 36.2; SD = 11.9) and in same-sex relationships. The following hypotheses were tested: that romantic attachment is positively correlated with internalized stigma and motives to not have children, while it is negatively correlated with relationship satisfaction; that relationship satisfaction is negatively correlated with internalized stigma and motives for parenthood; that internalized stigma is negatively correlated with motives for parenthood; and that relationship satisfaction mediates the relationships between romantic attachment and motives for parenthood and between internalized stigma and motives for parenthood. The results strongly support the hypotheses. Furthermore, the results indicate that the lesbian participants reported lower levels of avoidance and internalized stigma and higher levels of relationship satisfaction and motives to not have children, and the participants in civil unions reported lower levels of anxiety and internalized stigma and higher levels of relationship satisfaction and motives to not have children. Taken together, our findings contribute to the growing body of research on LG parenthood and may inform social policy and psychological support for LG individuals pursuing parenthood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Massimiliano Sommantico
- Dynamic Psychology Laboratory, Department of Humanities, University of Naples Federico II, Via Porta di Massa 1, 80133 Naples, Italy
| | - Marina Lacatena
- Dynamic Psychology Laboratory, Department of Humanities, University of Naples Federico II, Via Porta di Massa 1, 80133 Naples, Italy
| | - Ferdinando Ramaglia
- Dynamic Psychology Laboratory, Department of Humanities, University of Naples Federico II, Via Porta di Massa 1, 80133 Naples, Italy
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Shenkman G. The Mediating Role of Insecure Attachment in the Gap in Parenthood Desire between Lesbian and Gay Individuals and Their Heterosexual Counterparts. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:4084. [PMID: 36901095 PMCID: PMC10002326 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20054084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2023] [Revised: 02/21/2023] [Accepted: 02/23/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Previous studies have shown that lesbian and gay (LG) individuals, in comparison to their heterosexual counterparts, tend to report lower levels of parenthood desire. While numerous variables have been suggested to explain this gap in parenthood aspirations, no study has investigated the mediating role of avoidant attachment in the association between sexual orientation and parenthood desire. For that purpose, a sample of 790 cisgender Israelis aged 18-49 years (M = 28.27, SD = 4.76) was recruited using convenience sampling. Among the participants, 345 self-reported as predominantly or exclusively lesbian or gay and 445 self-reported as exclusively heterosexual. Participants completed online questionnaires assessing their sociodemographic characteristics, parenthood desire, and avoidant and anxious attachment styles. Mediation analyses were performed using the PROCESS macro, and the results revealed that LG individuals reported lower parenthood desire, higher avoidant attachment, and higher anxious attachment compared to heterosexual individuals. Moreover, avoidant attachment had a significant mediation effect in the association between sexual orientation and parenthood desire. The findings suggest that LG individuals are more likely to report higher avoidant attachment due to possible rejection and discrimination from family members and peers, and this may be associated with lower parenthood desire. The results contribute to the growing body of research on family formation and parenthood aspirations among LG individuals, and specifically studies aimed at delineating the factors that contribute to the gap in parenthood aspirations between sexual minority individuals and their heterosexual counterparts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Geva Shenkman
- Baruch Ivcher School of Psychology, Reichman University (IDC Herzliya), Herzliya 4610101, Israel
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Batz F, Lermer E, Lech S, O’Malley G, Zati zehni A, Zenz-Spitzweg D, Mahner S, Behr J, Thaler CJ, Buspavanich P. The psychological burden of COVID-19 on the desire for parenthood in minoritized sexual identities: a study on depressive symptoms and family planning in Germany. BMC Public Health 2023; 23:232. [PMID: 36732703 PMCID: PMC9894671 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-023-15127-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2022] [Revised: 01/21/2023] [Accepted: 01/24/2023] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The COVID-19 pandemic continues to spread across the globe and is associated with significant clinical and humanitarian burden. The desire for parenthood has been described to be positively correlated with psychological well-being: An unfulfilled wish for parenthood is associated with impaired mental health, and the wish for parenthood is a predictor for the development of depressive symptoms. While higher rates of anxiety and depression have been reported in individuals with minoritized sexual identities (compared to heterosexual individuals) during the COVID-19 pandemic, the specific impact of the pandemic and its social restriction measures on this population is poorly understood. METHODS From April to July 2020, we conducted an anonymous cross-sectional survey online among N = 2463 adults living in Germany. We screened for depressive symptoms (Patient Health Questionnaire-4; PHQ-4) and assessed individuals' desire for parenthood during the pandemic, and motives for or against the desire for parenthood (Leipzig questionnaire on motives for having a child, Version 20; LKM-20), with the aim of identifying differences between individuals with minoritized sexual identities and heterosexual individuals. RESULTS Compared to heterosexual individuals (n = 1304), individuals with minoritized sexual identities (n = 831) indicated higher levels of depressive symptoms. In our study sample the majority of all participants (81.9%) reported no change in the desire for parenthood since the COVID-19 pandemic. CONCLUSION The findings underline the unmet need for social, psychological and medical support in regard to family-planning and the desire for parenthood during a pandemic. Furthermore, future research should explore COVID-19-related psychological consequences on individuals' desire for parenthood and building a family.
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Affiliation(s)
- Falk Batz
- grid.411095.80000 0004 0477 2585Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Center for Gynecological Endocrinology and Reproductive Medicine, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Eva Lermer
- grid.5252.00000 0004 1936 973XCenter for Leadership and People Management, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany ,grid.440970.e0000 0000 9922 6093Department of Business Psychology, Augsburg University of Applied Sciences, Augsburg, Germany
| | - Sonia Lech
- grid.6363.00000 0001 2218 4662Institute of Medical Sociology and Rehabilitation Science, Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt- Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany ,grid.6363.00000 0001 2218 4662Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Grace O’Malley
- grid.6363.00000 0001 2218 4662Department of Paediatric Oncology/Haematology, Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Alaleh Zati zehni
- grid.411095.80000 0004 0477 2585Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Center for Gynecological Endocrinology and Reproductive Medicine, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Davina Zenz-Spitzweg
- grid.448997.f0000 0000 8984 4939 Applied Business and Media Psychology, Ansbach University of Applied Sciences, Ansbach, Germany
| | - Sven Mahner
- grid.411095.80000 0004 0477 2585Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Center for Gynecological Endocrinology and Reproductive Medicine, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Joachim Behr
- grid.473452.3Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, Brandenburg Medical School Theodor Fontane, Fehrbelliner Str. 38, 16816 Neuruppin, Germany ,Faculty of Health Sciences Brandenburg, Joint Faculty of the University of Potsdam, Brandenburg University of Technology Cottbus-Senftenberg and Brandenburg Medical School, Potsdam, Germany ,grid.6363.00000 0001 2218 4662Research Unit Gender in Medicine, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Institute of Sexology and Sexual Medicine, Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Christian J. Thaler
- grid.411095.80000 0004 0477 2585Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Center for Gynecological Endocrinology and Reproductive Medicine, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Pichit Buspavanich
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, Brandenburg Medical School Theodor Fontane, Fehrbelliner Str. 38, 16816, Neuruppin, Germany. .,Faculty of Health Sciences Brandenburg, Joint Faculty of the University of Potsdam, Brandenburg University of Technology Cottbus-Senftenberg and Brandenburg Medical School, Potsdam, Germany. .,Research Unit Gender in Medicine, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Institute of Sexology and Sexual Medicine, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
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Shenkman G, Ifrah K, Shmotkin D. The moderation of socio-demographics in physical and mental health disparities among Israeli gay and heterosexual middle-aged and older men. Aging Ment Health 2022; 26:1061-1068. [PMID: 33749417 DOI: 10.1080/13607863.2021.1901259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Physical and mental health disparities were explored among Israeli middle-aged and older gay and heterosexual men alongside the moderating role of age, relationship status, and place of birth. METHOD 173 middle-aged and older gay men were individually matched with 173 middle-aged and older heterosexual men at the age range of 50-86 (M = 60.56, SD = 8.42). All participants completed measures of doctor visits, physical health comorbidity, depressive symptoms, and anxiety. RESULTS Israeli middle-aged and older gay and heterosexual men did not significantly differ on physical or mental health indicators. However, a more differential analysis revealed that older age and relationship status had a moderating role, such that older gay men reported more physical health comorbidity in comparison to older heterosexual men. Similarly, gay men who were not in a steady relationship reported more frequent visits to the doctor and more anxiety in comparison to heterosexual men who were not in a steady relationship. Additionally, immigration history appeared as a potential resiliency factor, such that gay men who were not born in Israel reported less frequent doctor visits and less anxiety in comparison to heterosexual men who were not born in Israel. CONCLUSIONS This study presents a pioneering examination of physical and mental health disparities in an Israeli sample of middle-aged and older gay and heterosexual men. These results may call the attention of clinicians and policymakers to both vulnerabilities and strengths of middle-aged and older gay men.
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Affiliation(s)
- Geva Shenkman
- School of Psychology, Interdisciplinary Center (IDC), Herzliya, Israel
| | - Kfir Ifrah
- Faculty of Social & Community Sciences, Ruppin Academic Center, Emek Hefer, Israel
| | - Dov Shmotkin
- School of Psychological Sciences and Herczeg Institute on Aging, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
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What We Know and What Remains to Be Explored about LGBTQ Parent Families in Israel: A Sociocultural Perspective. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19074355. [PMID: 35410036 PMCID: PMC8998647 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19074355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2022] [Revised: 03/31/2022] [Accepted: 04/03/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
This paper reviews research on gay and lesbian parent families in Israel through cultural lenses while recognizing the diversity of these families. The major aims of the review are: (1) to provide an overview of the situation of LGBTQ parent families in Israel, as well as of the sociocultural background of the Israeli context and its effects on sexual minorities and LGBTQ parent families; and (2) to identify the limitations and lacunas in the existing research and shed light on what remains to be explored. We searched numerous databases for relevant studies, adopting a narrative approach to summarize the main findings while taking into account the literature on the socio-cultural context in Israel and its impact on sexual minorities and LGBTQ parent families. The search yielded empirical results only for gay and lesbian parent families, with studies emphasizing the challenges they face and the factors related to their well-being and that of LGB individuals aspiring to become parents. In addition, it revealed that research on children’s psychosocial adjustment as a function of parental sexual orientation is quite scarce in Israel. Moreover, it indicated the absence of investigations of bisexual, transgender, or queer parents. We conclude that the sociocultural context of Israel, including its pronatalist and familistic orientation, may play an important role in shaping the experiences of LGBTQ parent families, and should be taken into consideration when studying LGBTQ parents.
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Wang J, Zheng L. Culture-Specific Form of Stress Based on Sexual Orientation Among Childless Lesbian and Gay Individuals in China: Perceived Difficulties of Future Parenthood. ARCHIVES OF SEXUAL BEHAVIOR 2021; 50:3125-3136. [PMID: 34625884 DOI: 10.1007/s10508-021-02039-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2020] [Revised: 04/28/2021] [Accepted: 05/06/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
China's long historical and cultural traditions that overemphasize the continuity of the family bloodline have a profound impact on the desire to become parents. Indeed, many Chinese lesbian and gay (LG) individuals want to become parents, despite same-sex parenting being illegal in mainland China. Faced with a conflict between their sexual orientation and desire for parenthood, childless LG individuals in China experience additional stress. However, no empirical study has examined such stress, which has been termed perceived difficulties of future parenthood. The present study aimed to explore the influence of perceived difficulties of future parenthood on mental health and the moderating effect of parenting desire on the relationship between them among 737 childless Chinese LG individuals (216 lesbian women and 521 gay men). A new measure was developed consisting of four dimensions: restricted pathways, social discrimination, uncertain affective ties, and parental opposition. As predicted, perceived difficulties of future parenthood were associated with poorer mental health in the sample. However, the interaction effects between parenting desire and perceived difficulties of future parenthood on mental health were not significant. These findings highlight common existing perceived difficulties about future parenthood in childless LG individuals in China and their negative effects on mental health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian Wang
- Key Laboratory of Cognition and Personality (Ministry of Education), Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- Faculty of Psychology, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China
| | - Lijun Zheng
- Key Laboratory of Cognition and Personality (Ministry of Education), Southwest University, Chongqing, China.
- Faculty of Psychology, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China.
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Shenkman G, Stein Y, Bos H. The Mediating Role of Attachment Avoidance in the Association between Sexual Orientation and Mental Health. JOURNAL OF HOMOSEXUALITY 2021; 68:461-475. [PMID: 31430229 DOI: 10.1080/00918369.2019.1656507] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
The current study examined whether attachment avoidance mediates the association between being a sexual minority (gay men or lesbian women) and poorer mental health outcomes. For this purpose a community-dwelling sample of 350 gay men and lesbian women (M = 30.39, SD = 6.82) and 445 heterosexual men and women (M = 26.95, SD = 3.11) completed measures of attachment avoidance, depressive symptoms, anxiety symptoms and life satisfaction. Results showed that gay men and lesbians reported poorer mental health. Moreover, attachment avoidance had a mediating effect on the association between being a sexual minority and depressive symptoms, anxiety symptoms and life satisfaction. These findings are some of the first to suggest empirical support for the role of attachment avoidance in accounting for the mental health vulnerability of gay men and lesbians. The results contribute to a better understanding of the minority stress model and should be addressed by practitioners.
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Affiliation(s)
- Geva Shenkman
- School of Psychology, Interdisciplinary Center (IDC) , Herzliya, Israel
| | - Yoav Stein
- School of Psychology, Interdisciplinary Center (IDC) , Herzliya, Israel
| | - Henny Bos
- Research Institute of Child Development and Education (CDE), Faculty of Social and Behavioral Sciences, University of Amsterdam , Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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Tate DP, Patterson CJ. Desire for Parenthood in Context of Other Life Aspirations Among Lesbian, Gay, and Heterosexual Young Adults. Front Psychol 2019; 10:2679. [PMID: 31849781 PMCID: PMC6892837 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2019.02679] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2019] [Accepted: 11/13/2019] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Research has established that sexual minority young adults generally report fewer desires and fewer expectations for parenthood than do their heterosexual peers. Little is known, however, about other desires and expectations. Is parenthood the only domain in which lesbian and gay individuals report fewer desires and expectations than their heterosexual peers? Or do lower aspirations among lesbian and gay adults about parenthood also occur in other domains, such as marriage and work? In this study, we explored a variety of desires and expectations for the future among lesbian, gay, and heterosexual young adults. Participants for this internet survey were recruited via social media, and included 368 childless cisgender young adults (211 lesbian or gay and 157 heterosexual) living in the United States. There were three main findings. First, while lesbian/gay individuals were less likely than heterosexual participants to express desire for parenthood, desires in the other future domains did not vary across sexual orientation. Lesbian/gay participants were as likely as heterosexual individuals to desire marriage, friendships, and community connections, as well as career and economic success. Results for expectations were, however, very different. Lesbian/gay participants were less likely than heterosexual individuals to expect that they would marry, become parents, feel connected to a community, achieve meaningful careers, live in their ideal housing, or that they would attain financial stability. Thus, although desires were largely unrelated to sexual orientation, many expectations were strongly linked to it. Lesbian and gay individuals were also far more likely than their heterosexual peers to desire future goals that they did not expect to achieve. Overall, for lesbian/gay young adults, low parenthood aspirations were part of a general pattern of low expectations (though not reduced desires) across a number of life domains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Doyle P Tate
- Department of Psychology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, United States
| | - Charlotte J Patterson
- Department of Psychology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, United States
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