Parent reactions to coming out as lesbian, gay, or bisexual: Investigating a theoretical framework

Abstract

Objective

The aim of this study is to explore parents' reactions to their child's lesbian, gay, or bisexual (LGB) identity by applying an existing theoretical framework of parent reactions to coming out.

Background

Because family rejection leads to a number of negative outcomes among lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and/or questioning (LGBTQ) youth, understanding parent reactions is critical. There is a need to validate existing theoretical frameworks that capture parent reactions to LGBTQ disclosure.

Method

Using deductive thematic analysis, eight a priori themes and additional subthemes derived from the existing theoretical framework were used to analyze a convenience sample of 20 in-depth, parent interviews.

Results

The analysis demonstrated that the components of the theoretical framework that guided the study mostly mapped onto each transcript. One proposed change to the theoretical framework includes adding a pathway that demonstrates how parents who suspect their child is LGB do not necessarily engage in uncertainty reduction behaviors.

Conclusion

Findings from this study suggest that parents navigate through a series of processes when learning about and coming to accept their child's identity.

Implications

There is a need for future empirical studies to further refine and validate the existing theoretical framework.