Parent-LGBTQ child communication about disclosure to their social networks

Abstract

This study explores communication between parents and LGBTQ children as they jointly negotiate whether to disclose the child’s LGBTQ identity to members of their social networks, e.g., extended family. Data includes 11 parent and 11 LGBTQ adult child qualitative interviews. The adult children in this study reported ages from 19 to 43 years. Three pairs of discourses animated parent-LGBTQ child dyads communication regarding disclosure with their outside social networks: hopeful anticipation vs. fearful hesitation, cautious inclusion vs. selective privacy, and proactive advocacy vs. reserved support. This study highlights the role parents can play in the emotional well-being and positive identity development of their LGBTQ children.

Keywords:

• LGBTQ
• parent
• child
• social networks
• relational dialectics theory

Disclosure statement

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

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Tee R. Tyler

Tee Tyler PhD, LCSW is an Assistant Professor at Texas Christian University. His social work clinical background includes three years of experience as a primary therapist at a residential treatment center for at-risk-youth. There he conducted individual, family, and group psychotherapy sessions for the clients he served. He also directed the center’s chemical dependency program. Tee attended a social work doctoral program at the University of Texas at Austin. There he was awarded the 2016 Outstanding Graduate Student Academic Employee Award and the 2016 GADE Student Award for Teaching. His research focuses on parent and LGBTQ child relationships. His work has been published in the American Journal of Orthopsychiatry, the Journal of Gay & Lesbian Social Services, and the Journal of GLBT Family Studies. Email: [email protected].

Jenna S. Abetz

Jenna Abetz PhD is an Assistant Professor at the College of Charleston. Her research focuses on communication within and about interpersonal and family relationships. Informed by qualitative and critical approaches to communication, she explores how individuals construct, make sense of, and negotiate identity during periods of relational transition or contestation. This work has included analyses of emerging adulthood, motherhood, parent-child estrangement, divorce, dual-career couples, and financial uncertainty. She seeks to conduct socially-meaningful, translational work that has practical applications for family relationships. Her work has been published in outlets including the Western Journal of Communication, Women’s Studies in Communication, Communication, Culture & Critique, and the Journal of Social and Personal Relationships. Email: [email protected].