The Role of Attachment in Experiences of Affiliate Stigma Among Parents of Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual 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