Parental Support and Mental Health (Article)
“For many LGBTQ people, support and affirmation in an environment where they feel safe and seen can make all the difference when it comes to mental health outcomes. Now, new research out of The University of Texas at Austin, shed some more light on the role both positive and negative support from parents and guardians can play on the mental health and well-being of LGBTQ youth.
Specifically, it shows that those who had the most support experienced fewer depressive symptoms, while those who had higher levels of depressive symptoms were the recipients of more negative, “psychological control” from their parents. What this research does is provide more context to a growing understanding of the overall mental health of American LGBTQ children and adolescents at a volatile time when issues around their identities — and acceptance of their identities — make frequent headlines.
This study complements past research that indicates the benefits a queer young person can experience if they feel supported by their parents — as well as the pitfalls they may face if they feel judged, stigmatized, or mistreated by their guardians and the adult figures in their lives.”
My Takeaways:
Research shows that one of the most important factors of mental health within the LGBTQ community is the amount of acceptance/support they are able to receive in affirming their identity and sexuality, particularly their parents.
More supportive parents were associated with fewer depressive symptoms overall while more ambiguous/non-supportive parents were associated with higher negative mental effects.
As we navigate the normalization and integration of LGBTQ into society, research shows that the best way to support the process is being able to administer support and reception on the newfound identities that people find themselves to be.
Full article is here!
#LGBTQ #Parent #MentalSupport
What are some ways parents can embrace and support their LGBTQ children?
@sunnyWriting4806
Thank you for posting this. I am 33 now, but I certainly fell into the unsupported category growing up which no doubt had a negative impact on my mental health.
I was raised in a religious environment that did not reflect diverse populations in a positive way and so was inherently oppressive. It wasn't until I went to school and started to travel that my horizons expanded. I realized there were so many people like me. Networking allowed me to shed the great deal of shame I was carrying and begin advocating for others.
Like many, I came out more than once. First as bisexual, then lesbian. When I told my mother at the age of 15 she asked me if I was trying to hurt her. She told me to never ask her to accept it because she never would, and to never bring a woman home. Nearly 20 years later, I am married to a woman and my mother adores my wife.
It's been a long winding intolerant harmful road for me, but by continuing to hold time and space for these topics we are able to have meaningful conversation about seemingly difficult topics. The only thing I will ever ask of a parent or family member who struggles to offer unconditional love to their friends and family is simply to dig deeper. Often, getting to the root of the why helps one to untangle the fear surrounding conditioned thinking or fear. Due to the progressive nature of the upcoming generation, I am hopeful that meaningful change will continue to take place. With the passing of time our children's children will have the support and language many of us could only dream of.
@blitheSun94
Thank you for sharing your inspiring story with us on how you and your mother were eventually able to reconcile and bring about the change within her to come to terms with who you are. I agree, sometimes the reason why parents may be so outright against it at first is that they are simply unfamiliar of what it means to have someone close that is part of the LGBTQ community. This is obvious a barrier to overcome, but my hope is that the unconditional love shared my parent and child can be powerful enough to bring about the change as your scenario did.
Thank you for your meaningful response. The power of positive exposure can not be overstated. 💕🌈
