Psychosocial Well-Being in Children of Same-Sex Parents: A Longitudinal Analysis of Familial Transitions. (November 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Potter, Daniel; Potter, Emma C.
• Is Part Of: Journal of family issues. Volume 38:Number 16(2017)
• Page Start: 2303
• Page End: 2328
• Publication Date: 2017-11
• Subjects: children's psychosocial well-being -- family processes -- family structure -- LGBTQ issues -- life course -- quantitative -- random-effects tobit regression; Families -- United States -- Periodicals; Family -- Periodicals; 306.8505
• DOI: 10.1177/0192513X16646338
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0192-513X

Abstract

Families in the United States are increasingly diverse, which has given rise to questions about the consequences these new family forms have for children's outcomes. This study uses a life course perspective to examine the association between family transitions, nontraditional family structures (with particular attention to same-sex parent families), and children's psychosocial well-being. The Early Childhood Longitudinal Study–Kindergarten cohort was used to examine children's externalizing well-being, internalizing well-being, and interpersonal skills. Results indicate that nontraditional family structures are associated with poorer psychosocial well-being, but this is largely accounted for by changes and transitions experienced in the creation of new families. The findings provide a critical look at the assumptions embedded in arguments focused solely on family structure, and joins other research in calling attention to the importance of family processes for understanding the well-being of children.