The interplay of familial warmth and LGBTQ+ specific family rejection on LGBTQ+ adolescents' self‐esteem. (1st December 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Meanley, Steven; Flores, Dalmacio D.; Listerud, Louis; Chang, Cindy J.; Feinstein, Brian A.; Watson, Ryan J.
• Is Part Of: Journal of adolescence. Volume 93(2021)
• Page Start: 40
• Page End: 52
• Publication Date: 2021-12-01
• Subjects: Sexual and gender minority youth -- Mental health -- Family acceptance -- Minority stress -- Resilience; Adolescent psychiatry -- Periodicals; Adolescent psychology -- Periodicals; Adolescence -- Periodicals; Electronic journals; 305.23505
• DOI: 10.1016/j.adolescence.2021.10.002
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0140-1971

Abstract

Abstract: Introduction: Our study sought to assess the interplay of family dynamics, namely familial warmth and LGBTQ+ specific rejection, and its association to self‐esteem in a non‐probabilistic sample of LGBTQ+ adolescents in the United States. Methods: Stratified by (1) cisgender and (2) transgender and non‐binary LGBTQ+ adolescents ( N = 8774), we tested multivariable regression analyses to assess the association between familial warmth and LGBTQ+ specific family rejection, adjusted for sociodemographic characteristics. We then conducted a sub‐analysis with LGBTQ+ adolescents who reported being out to any family member about their LGBTQ+ identity; specifically, we tested a series of multivariable regression models to assess whether levels of LGBTQ+ specific family rejection attenuated the association between familial warmth and self‐esteem. Results: Full sample models indicated a positive association between familial warmth and self‐esteem. Findings from our sub‐analysis indicated that familial warmth remained positively linked to self‐esteem and family rejection was negatively associated with self‐esteem. Family rejection was a statistically significant moderator, attenuating the association between familial warmth and self‐esteem. With respect to being out about one's sexual orientation, these findings were robust across gender stratification groups. Conclusions: Families of origin serve as sources of stress and resilience for LGBTQ+ adolescents. Our findings contribute support to arguments that familial warmth and LGBTQ+ specific rejection are not mutually‐exclusive experiences among LGBTQ+ adolescents. We provide recommendations for multilevel interventions to leverage activities that support positive family dynamics and self‐esteem among LGBTQ+ adolescents.