Parental Sexual Orientation Socialization for Sexual Minority Youth: An Empirically-Derived Conceptual Model

Abstract

Objective

To identify and conceptualize parent–child interactions about cisgender sexual minority youths' (SMY) minoritized sexual identity, with an explicit focus on parenting communication and behaviors.

Background

SMY experience stigma and consequently compromised development and health. Adjacent literature on racial/ethnic minoritized youth demonstrates the protective function of identity-based parenting practices that facilitate adaptive strategies to combat the deleterious effects of stigma.

Method

Using data from cisgender SMY in the LGBTQ+ Youth in Family Study, we conducted a constructivist grounded theory analysis of 90-min semi-structured interviews with cisgender SMY (n = 18) aged 15–19 and, separately, their cisgender, heterosexual parent(s) (n = 17). During analysis, the coders developed process, dyadic, and coding memos to increase rigor and interpret findings within and across individuals and family systems.

Results

We identified seven overarching categories that illuminate parents' processes, interactions, and dynamics with their SMY child: Forecasting LGBTQ+ attitudes pre-disclosure, communicating around sexuality, intervening in sexual identity development, addressing heterosexism, engaging with the LGBTQ+ community, communicating values, and demonstrating personal growth/change. In most categories, parents and youth identified processes that appeared to both support and undermine SMY's positive development, sending a wide range of implicit and explicit messages regarding youths' sexual identity in the context of adolescence and US culture.

Conclusion

We introduce a novel framework for sexual orientation socialization processes between heterosexual, cisgender parents and SMY children to accelerate research and practice innovation for SMY development and health.