Romantic Attachment, Relationship Satisfaction, Internalized Sexual Stigma, and Motives for Parenthood in Italian Lesbian Women and Gay Men

Abstract

This study examines romantic attachment, internalized sexual stigma, relationship satisfaction, and motives for parenthood in a sample of 313 Italian lesbian women (47.9%) and gay men (52.1%) aged 18–71 years (M = 36.2; SD = 11.9) and in same-sex relationships. The following hypotheses were tested: that romantic attachment is positively correlated with internalized stigma and motives to not have children, while it is negatively correlated with relationship satisfaction; that relationship satisfaction is negatively correlated with internalized stigma and motives for parenthood; that internalized stigma is negatively correlated with motives for parenthood; and that relationship satisfaction mediates the relationships between romantic attachment and motives for parenthood and between internalized stigma and motives for parenthood. The results strongly support the hypotheses. Furthermore, the results indicate that the lesbian participants reported lower levels of avoidance and internalized stigma and higher levels of relationship satisfaction and motives to not have children, and the participants in civil unions reported lower levels of anxiety and internalized stigma and higher levels of relationship satisfaction and motives to not have children. Taken together, our findings contribute to the growing body of research on LG parenthood and may inform social policy and psychological support for LG individuals pursuing parenthood.

The Role of Attachment Anxiety and Avoidance in Predicting Proximal Minority Stressors among Gay and Lesbian People in Italy

“…Specifically, both dimensions of adult attachment (anxiety and avoidance) were positively associated with internalized homonegativity. These findings are consistent with other studies on the same subject [ 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 , 30 ]. On the one hand, the association between attachment anxiety and internalized homonegativity may be explained by the tendency of individuals with higher levels of attachment anxiety to hyperactivate the attachment system.…”

“…However, it is possible that in particularly stressful situations, available resources are insufficient to limit access to negative cognitions and emotions [ 41 ], thereby promoting the expression of homonegative attitudes toward the self. These data are consistent with the results found in several studies on this topic [ 26 , 27 , 28 , 30 ], although the study by Calvo et al [ 25 ] found that the relationship between attachment avoidance and internalized homonegativity was fully mediated by social support. Further studies are needed, also using more complex statistical models, as some of these relationships have only been tested at the bivariate level [ 26 , 27 , 30 ].…”

“…These data are consistent with the results found in several studies on this topic [ 26 , 27 , 28 , 30 ], although the study by Calvo et al [ 25 ] found that the relationship between attachment avoidance and internalized homonegativity was fully mediated by social support. Further studies are needed, also using more complex statistical models, as some of these relationships have only been tested at the bivariate level [ 26 , 27 , 30 ].…”

“…Specifically, according to this model, adult attachment may influence an individual’s perceived level of minority stress, negatively impacting on well-being. Although there are few studies [ 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 ] that have examined the hypotheses formulated by Cook and Calebs’ [ 24 ] integrated model, the data identified have demonstrated an association between attachment anxiety and avoidance and the level of proximal minority stress experienced. More specifically, several studies [ 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 , 30 ] have shown a positive association between adult attachment and internalized homonegativity, while there are limited data on the impact of attachment anxiety and avoidance on perceived stigma.…”

“…Although there are few studies [25][26][27][28][29] that have examined the hypotheses formulated by Cook and Calebs' [24] integrated model, the data identified have demonstrated an association between attachment anxiety and avoidance and the level of proximal minority stress experienced. More specifically, several studies [25][26][27][28]30] have shown a positive association between adult attachment and internalized homonegativity, while there are limited data on the impact of attachment anxiety and avoidance on perceived stigma. To the best of the authors' knowledge, only one study [29] has investigated this association.…”