Date of Award

Spring 5-10-2018

Degree Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

PhD Counseling Psychology

Department

Professional Psychology and Family Therapy

Advisor

Pamela Foley, PhD

Committee Member

Minsun Lee, PhD

Committee Member

Corinne Datchi, PhD

Committee Member

Belinda Carrasco, PhD

Keywords

attachment, stigma, LGB affiliate stigma, parents of LGB individuals

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between parents of lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) individuals’ attachment styles and their experiences of LGB affiliate stigma associated with having an LGB child. It was hypothesized that higher levels of anxious and/or avoidant attachment, as measured by the Experiences in Close Relationships Scale (ECR; Brennan, Clark, & Shaver, 1998), would predict higher levels of LGB affiliate stigma, as measured by the LGB Affiliate Stigma Measure (LGB-ASM; Robinson & Brewster, 2016). A sample of 87 self-identified parents of LGB individuals completed the ECR and LGB-ASM. Utilizing multiple regression, results of statistical analyses provided partial support for the hypotheses of this study. Multiple regression analyses supported the primary hypothesis: overall, higher levels of insecure attachment predicted higher levels of LGB affiliate stigma among parents of LGB individuals. Contrary to hypothesis, however, while higher levels of anxious attachment were found to be a significant predictor of two of the three domains of LGB affiliate stigma, levels of avoidant attachment did not emerge as a significant predictor of any of the three domains of LGB affiliate stigma. Clinical implications, limitations, and directions for future research, particularly with parents of LGB individuals, are discussed.

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