744
Views
12
CrossRef citations to date
0
Altmetric
Research Article

Parental Experiences of Coming Out: From “Un-doing Family Bonds” to “Family Generativity”

, PhDORCID Icon, , PhDORCID Icon, , PhDORCID Icon, , PhDORCID Icon & , PhDORCID Icon

References

  • Allen, J. L. (2021). The typology and content of parent-gay son communication about sexual identity: A qualitative content analysis. Journal of Gay & Lesbian Social Services, 33(4), 533–560. doi:10.1080/10538720.2021.1900011
  • Allen, J. L., Huggins-Hoyt, K. Y., Nobile, J., & Boyd, D. T. (2021). A descriptive qualitative analysis of gay men’s recollection of parental similarities and differences in their approaches to talking about sexual orientation and sexual behaviors. Journal of GLBT Family Studies, 17(4), 393–412. doi:10.1080/1550428X.2020.1868035
  • Aveline, D. (2006). “Did I have blinders on or what?”: Retrospective sense making by parents of gay sons recalling their sons’ earlier years. Journal of Family Issues, 27(6), 777–802. doi:10.1177/0192513X05285613
  • Baiocco, R., Antoniucci, C., Basili, E., Pistella, J., Favini, A., Martin, C., & Pastorelli, C. (2021). Perceived similarity to gender groups scale: Validation in a sample of Italian LGB+ and heterosexual young adults. Sexuality Research and Social Policy. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1007/s13178-021-00631-5.
  • Baiocco, R., D’Alessio, M., & Laghi, F. (2010). Binge drinking among gay, and lesbian youths: The role of internalized sexual stigma, self-disclosure, and individuals’ sense of connectedness to the gay community. Addictive Behaviors, 35(10), 896–899. doi:10.1016/j.addbeh.2010.06.004
  • Baiocco, R., & Pistella, J. (2019). “Be as You Are” clinical research center at the Sapienza University of Rome. Journal of Gay & Lesbian Mental Health, 23(4), 376–379. doi:10.1080/19359705.2019.1644572
  • Baiocco, R., Pistella, J., & Morelli, M. (2020). Coming out to parents in lesbian and bisexual women: The role of internalized sexual stigma and positive LB identity. Frontiers in Psychology, 11, 3431. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2020.609885
  • Baptist, J. A., & Allen, K. R. (2008). A family’s coming out process: Systematic change and multiple realities. Contemporary Family Theory, 30(2), 92–110. doi:10.1007/s10591-008-9057-3
  • Bucci, F., Paniccia, R. M., Bisogni, F., Pirrotta, S., Dolcetti, F. R., Marchetti, G., & Romelli, K. (2021). Bringing mental health back into the dynamics of social coexistence: Emotional Textual Analysis. In Qualitative research methods in mental health (pp. 193–218).Cham (Switzerland):Springer.
  • Bucci, F., & Vanheule, S. (2020). Investigating changing work and economic cultures through the lens of youth employment: A case study from a psychosocial perspective in Italy. Young, 28(3), 275–293. doi:10.1177/1103308819857412
  • Butcher, J. (2014). “But he can’t be gay”: The relationship between masculinity and homophobia in father–son relationships. Journal of Men’s Studies, 22(3), 222–237. doi:10.3149/jms.2203
  • Carli, R. (2018). Unconscious, local cultures and language: Guidelines for the Emotional Textual Analysis (ETA). Rivista di Psicologia Clinica, 2, 7–33. doi:10.14645/RPC.2018.2.739
  • Carli, R., & Paniccia, R. M. (2002). Emotional Textual Analysis. Milan, Italy:FrancoAngeli.
  • Carli, R., Paniccia, R. M., Giovagnoli, F., Carbone, A., & Bucci, F. (2016). Emotional Textual Analysis. In L. A. Jason, and D. S. Glenwick (Eds.), Handbook of methodological approaches to community-based research: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods (pp. 111–120). Oxford, United Kingdom: Oxford University Press.
  • Chrisler, A. J. (2017). Understanding parent reactions to coming out as lesbian, gay, or bisexual: A theoretical framework. Journal of Family Theory & Review, 9(2), 165–181. doi:10.1111/jftr.12194
  • Conley, C. L. (2011). Learning about a child’s gay or lesbian sexual orientation: Parental concerns about societal rejection, loss of loved ones, and child well being. Journal of Homosexuality, 58(8), 1022–1040. doi:10.1080/00918369.2011.598409
  • Costa, P. A., Pereira, H., & Leal, I. (2013). Internalized homonegativity, disclosure, and acceptance of sexual orientation in a sample of Portuguese gay and bisexual men, and lesbian and bisexual women. Journal of Bisexuality, 13(2), 229–244. doi:10.1080/15299716.2013.782481
  • D’Amico, E., Julien, D., Tremblay, N., & Chartrand, E. (2015). Gay, lesbian, and bisexual youths coming out to their parents: Parental reactions and youths’ outcomes. Journal of GLBT Family Studies, 11(5), 411–437. doi:10.1080/1550428X.2014.981627
  • D’Augelli, A. R., Grossman, A. H., & Starks, M. T. (2008). Families of gay, lesbian, and bisexual youth: What do parents and siblings know and how do they react? Journal of GLBT Family Studies, 4(1), 95–115. doi:10.1080/15504280802084506
  • D’Augelli, A. R., Pilkington, N. W., & Hershberger, S. L. (2002). Incidence and mental health impact of sexual orientation victimization of lesbian, gay and bisexual youths in high school. School Psychology Quarterly, 17(2), 148–167. doi:10.1521/scpq.17.2.148.20854
  • Freedman, L. (2008). Accepting the unacceptable: Religious parents and adult gay and lesbian children. Families in Society: The Journal of Contemporary Social Services, 89(2), 237–244. doi:10.1606/1044-3894.3739
  • Frost, D. M., Hammack, P. L., Wilson, B. D., Russell, S. T., Lightfoot, M., & Meyer, I. H. (2020). The qualitative interview in psychology and the study of social change: Sexual identity development, minority stress, and health in the generations study. Qualitative Psychology, 7(3), 245–266. doi:10.1037/qup0000148
  • Frost, D. M., & Meyer, I. H. (2009). Internalized homophobia and relationship quality among lesbians, gay men, and bisexuals. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 56(1), 97–109. doi:10.1037/a0012844
  • Goldfried, M. R., & Goldfried, A. P. (2001). The importance of parental support in the lives of gay, lesbian, and bisexual individuals. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 57(5), 681–693. doi:10.1002/jclp.1037
  • Gonzalez, K. A., Rostosky, S. S., Odom, R. D., & Riggle, E. D. (2013). The positive aspects of being the parent of an LGBTQ child. Family Process, 52(2), 325–337. doi:10.1111/famp.12009
  • Goodrich, K. M. (2009). Mom and dad come out: The process of identifying as a heterosexual parentwith a lesbian, gay, or bisexual child. Journal of LGBT Issues in Counseling, 3(1), 37–61. doi:10.1080/15538600902754478
  • Goodrich, K. M., & Ginicola, M. M. (2017). Identity development, coming out, and family adjustment. In M. M. Ginicola, C. Smith, and J. M. Filmore (Eds.), Affirmative counseling with LGBTQI+ people (pp. 61–74). Alexandria, VA: American Counseling Association.
  • Goodrich, K. M., Trahan, D. P., Jr, & Brammer, M. K. (2019). Family dynamics following disclosure as LGB: A narratology. The Family Journal, 27(2), 122–132. doi:10.1177/1066480719832516
  • Gotta, G., Green, R., Rothblum, E., Solomon, S., Balsam, K., & Schwartz, P. (2011). Heterosexual, lesbian, and gay male relationships: A comparison of couples in 1975 and 2000. Family Process, 50(3), 353–376. doi:10.1111/j.1545-5300.2011.01365.x
  • Grafsky, E. L. (2014). Becoming a parent of a GLB son or daughter. Journal of GLBT Family Studies, 10(1–2), 36–57. doi:10.1080/1550428X.2014.857240
  • Hässler, T., Ullrich, J., Sebben, S., Shnabel, N., Bernardino, M., & Pistella, J. (2021). Needs satisfaction in intergroup contact: A multi-national study of pathways toward social change. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1037/pspi0000365.
  • Hays, D. G., & Wood, C. (2011). Infusing qualitative traditions in counseling research designs. Journal of Counseling & Development, 89(3), 288–295. doi:10.1002/j.1556-6678.2011.tb00091.x
  • Hom, A. Y. (2003). Stories from the homefront: Perspectives of Asian-American parents with lesbian daughters and gay sons. In L. Garnets, and D. C.Kimmel (Eds.), Psychological perspectives on lesbian, gay, and bisexual experiences (pp. 549–562). New York: Columbia University Press.
  • Jaspal, R. (2020). Parental reactions to British South Asian young men who identify as gay. Journal of GLBT Family Studies, 16(4), 402–417. doi:10.1080/1550428X.2019.1684412
  • Lancia, F. (2012). The logic of the T-LAB tools explained. Retrieved from http://www.tlab.it/en/toolsexplained.php
  • LaSala, M. C. (2010). Coming out, coming home: Helping families adjust to a gay or lesbian child. New York: Columbia University Press.
  • Lee, M. M., & Lee, R. E. (2006). The voices of accepting and supportive parents of gay sons: Towards an ecosystemic strengths model. Journal of GLBT Family Studies, 2(2), 1–27. doi:10.1300/J461v02n02_01
  • Lin, Y., & Hudley, C. (2009). Taiwanese mothers’ reactions to learning that their child is lesbian or gay: An exploratory study. Journal of LGBT Issues in Counseling, 3(3–4), 154–176. doi:10.1080/15538600903285605
  • Lingiardi, V., Nardelli, N., Ioverno, S., Falanga, S., Di Chiacchio, C., Tanzilli, A., & Baiocco, R. (2016). Homonegativity in Italy: Cultural issues, personality characteristics, and demographic correlates with negative attitudes toward lesbians and gay men. Sexuality Research and Social Policy, 13(2), 95–108. doi:10.1007/s13178-015-0197-6
  • Lopata, M. E. (2003). Fortunate families: Catholic families with lesbian daughters and gay sons. Victoria, BC: Trafford.
  • Maslowe, K. E., & Yarhouse, M. A. (2015). Christian parental reactions when a LGB child comes out. The American Journal of Family Therapy, 43(4), 352–363. doi:10.1080/01926187.2015.1051901
  • Pearlman, S. F. (2005). When mothers learn a daughter is a lesbian: Then and now. Journal of Lesbian Studies, 9(3), 117–137. doi:10.1300/J155v09n03_11
  • Petrocchi, N., Pistella, J., Salvati, S., Carone, N., & Baiocco, R. (2020). “I embrace my LGB identity”: The distinctive relevance of authenticity to well-being of Italian lesbians, gay men and bisexual people. Sexuality Research and Social Policy, 17(1), 75–86. doi:10.1007/s13178-018-0373-6
  • Philips, M. J., & Ancis, J. R. (2008). The process of identity development of the parent of a lesbian or gay male. Journal of LGBT Issues in Counseling, 2(2), 136–158. doi:10.1080/15538600802125605
  • Pistella, J., Caricato, V., & Baiocco, R. (2020a). Coming out to siblings and parents in an Italian sample of lesbian women and gay men. Journal of Child and Family Studies, 29(10), 2916–2929. doi:10.1007/s10826-019-01597-0
  • Pistella, J., Rosati, F., Ioverno, S., Girelli, L., Laghi, F., Lucidi, F., & Baiocco, R. (2020b). Coming out in family and sports-related contexts among young Italian gay and lesbian athletes: The mediation effect of the “don’t ask, don’t tell” attitude. Journal of Child and Family Studies, 29(1), 208–216. doi:10.1007/s10826-019-01551-0
  • Pistella, J., Salvati, M., Ioverno, S., Laghi, F., & Baiocco, R. (2016). Coming-out to family members and internalized sexual stigma in bisexual, lesbian and gay people. Journal of Child and Family Studies, 25(12), 3694–3701. doi:10.1007/s10826-016-0528-0
  • Riggle, E. D. B., Rostosky, S. S., McCants, W., & Pascale-Hague, D. (2011). The positive aspects of a transgender identity. Psychology & Sexuality, 2(2), 147–158. doi:10.1080/19419899.2010.534490
  • Riggle, E. D. B., Whitman, J. S., Olson, A., Rostosky, S. S., & Strong, S. (2008). The positive aspects of being a lesbian or gay man. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 39(3), 210–217. doi:10.1037/0735-7028.39.2.210
  • Rosati, F., Pistella, J., & Baiocco, R. (2021). Italian sexual minority older adults in healthcare services: Identities, discriminations, and competencies. Sexuality Research and Social Policy, 18(1), 64–74. doi:10.1007/s13178-020-00443-z
  • Rosati, F., Pistella, J., Nappa, M. R., & Baiocco, R. (2020). The coming-out process in family, social, and religious contexts among young, middle, and older Italian LGBQ+ adults. Frontiers in Psychology, 11, 3481. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2020.617217
  • Rostosky, S. S., Riggle, E. D., Horne, S. G., Denton, F. N., & Huellemeier, J. D. (2010). Lesbian, gay, and bisexual individuals’ psychological reactions to amendments denying access to civil marriage. American Journal of Orthopsychiatry, 80(3), 302–310. doi:10.1111/j.1939-0025.2010.01033.x
  • Salvati, M., Pistella, J., Ioverno, S., Laghi, F., & Baiocco, R. (2018). Coming out to siblings and internalized sexual stigma: The moderating role of gender in a sample of Italian participants. Journal of GLBT Family Studies, 14(5), 405–424. doi:10.1080/1550428X.2017.1369916
  • Salvatore, S., & Freda, M. F. (2011). Affect, unconscious and sensemaking. A psychodynamic, semiotic and dialogic model. New Ideas in Psychology, 29(2), 119–135. doi:10.1016/j.newideapsych.2010.06.001
  • Salvatore, S., Valsiner, J., & Veltri, G. A. (2019). The theoretical and methodological framework. semiotic cultural psychology, symbolic universes and lines of semiotic forces. In Symbolic universes in time of (post) crisis (pp. 25–49). Cham (Switzerland): Springer.
  • Trahan, D. P., Jr, & Goodrich, K. M. (2015). “You think you know me, but you have no idea”: Dynamics in African American families following a son’s or daughter’s disclosure as LGBT. The Family Journal, 23(2), 147–157. doi:10.1177/1066480715573423
  • van Bergen, D. D., Wilson, B. D., Russell, S. T., Gordon, A. G., & Rothblum, E. D. (2021). Parental responses to coming out by lesbian, gay, bisexual, queer, pansexual, or two‐spirited people across three age cohorts. Journal of Marriage and Family, 83(4), 1116–1133. doi:10.1111/jomf.12731
  • Wakeley, M. D., & Tuason, M. T. G. (2011). Tasks in acceptance: Mothers of lesbian daughters. Journal of Gay & Lesbian Social Services, 23(1), 1–29. doi:10.1080/10538720.2010.541027
  • Wandrey, R. L., Mosack, K. E., & Moore, E. M. (2015). Coming out to family and friends as bisexually identified young adult women: A discussion of homophobia, biphobia, and heteronormativity. Journal of Bisexuality, 15(2), 204–229. doi:10.1080/15299716.2015.1018657
  • Willoughby, B. L., Doty, N. D., & Malik, N. M. (2008). Parental reactions to their child’s sexual orientation disclosure: A family stress perspective. Parenting: Science and Practice, 8(1), 70–91. doi:10.1080/15295190701830680
  • Willoughby, B. L. B., Malik, N. M., & Lindahl, K. M. (2006). Parental reactions to their sons’ sexual orientation disclosures: The roles of family cohesion, adaptability and parenting style. Psychology of Men and Masculinity, 7(1), 14–26. doi:10.1037/1524-9220.7.1.14

Reprints and Corporate Permissions

Please note: Selecting permissions does not provide access to the full text of the article, please see our help page How do I view content?

To request a reprint or corporate permissions for this article, please click on the relevant link below:

Academic Permissions

Please note: Selecting permissions does not provide access to the full text of the article, please see our help page How do I view content?

Obtain permissions instantly via Rightslink by clicking on the button below:

If you are unable to obtain permissions via Rightslink, please complete and submit this Permissions form. For more information, please visit our Permissions help page.