Sexual Minority Mothers: A Dyadic Exploration of Stigma, Identity, Support, and Parental Wellbeing

ABSTRACT

For all couples, regardless of sexual orientation, transition to parenthood often increases stress, although, according to minority stress theory (MST), same-sex couples often experience additional stressors specifically related to their sexual orientation. In this study of 34 same-sex female couples (68 sexual minority mothers) who conceived their children with the use of sperm donation, we explored the intrapersonal and interpersonal influences of sexuality-related stigma, sexual identity, sexuality disclosure (“outness”), and social support on the wellbeing of each partner among these couples. We found support for MST, although the process worked differently based on the mother’s role. Among the pregnant (gestational) mothers, personal experiences of sexuality related stigma, social support, and sexual identity disclosure were all associated with their individual wellbeing. In contrast, among the non-pregnant (non-gestational) mothers, these associations were more interpersonal in nature. Specifically, the non-gestational mothers’ wellbeing was unrelated to their personal experiences of sexuality stigma but was associated with their partner’s (the gestational mother’s) reports of sexual identity centrality and affirmation and support from friends. In all, we found support for MST, such that greater sexuality stigma was associated with poorer wellbeing, but this relationship functioned differently depending on the mother’s role.

KEYWORDS:

• Sexual minority parents
• LGBQ stigma
• identity
• outness
• wellbeing
• romantic relationships

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank all the participants to took part in this study. In addition, we would like to thank all the undergraduate research assistants, especially Shandi Folmar, Rachael Hobbs, Taylor Owen, Colleen McKenna, Angel Moulton, Megane Muluh, Cara Scipioni, Tierney Smith, Megan Stoddard, Brianna Thompson, Lauren Whitley, and Autumn Williams, for assisting in all part of this study.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Notes

1. These labels are problematic and controversial, implying a gender identity, and even a priority of one parent as the real mother. We use gestational parent (GP) and non-gestational parent (NGP) as an attempt to clarify the roles carried through pregnancy. Prior work has found differences in experiences based on these roles (Goldberg & Smith, 2008).

Additional information

Funding

This study was supported by the Social Science Research Institute at Pennsylvania State University. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the SSRI.