The experience of coming out (CO) - the act of disclosing one's sexual orientation to others - is often a pivotal event in the lives of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and queer, and those who otherwise identify as a minority in terms of sexual orientation (LGBQ+). The CO process is fundamental for identity integration among LGBQ+ people. Prior research on CO has mainly focused on the narratives of the LGBQ+ people while, to our knowledge, only a few studies have investigated the CO process analyzing the parents' perspectives after the offspring disclosure.
Thus, the primary purpose is to investigate mothers' and fathers' experiences and narratives of the CO process of their offspring. Our research project will approach this issue with four main goals:
(1) provide descriptive qualitative and quantitative data on the parents' perception of the CO over time;
(2) explore how the CO process may represent a crucial and stressful event for the parents and, at the same time, a possibility for generativity;
(3) investigate how the parents may negotiate or re-configure their bond with the kinship system and re-consider the value systems they refer to (i.e., moral, religious, and political system);
(4) test the moderating and mediating roles of parents' personal and demographic variables on the relationship between initial favorable/adverse reactions to CO, homophobic, and heterosexist attitudes.
We will adopt a variety of research methodologies, including qualitative and quantitative-based research. An ad-hoc online survey will be used to collect data regarding the key variables (n = 100; 50-80 years of age). Moreover, we will conduct semi-structured interviews (n = 40; 50-80 years of age) to extend the existing scientific literature concerning the perceptions that parents of LGBQ+ people attribute to the CO process. The findings of this project could have important implications for researchers and mental health professionals who might work with parents of LGBQ+ people.
This research project will contribute to the extension of knowledge about the CO process of LGBQ+ individuals examining the parents' point of view and narratives. The study will be conducted in Italy, a family-oriented country where LGBQ+ people constantly face the effects of societal heterosexism (Baiocco et al., 2010; Lingiardi et al., 2015; Pistella et al., 2016, 2020), namely a belief system that privileges heterosexuality and stigmatizes other sexual orientations (Herek & Garnets, 2007). In such a stigmatizing context, LGBQ+ people encountering significant difficulties and psychological barriers in disclosing their sexual orientation (Baiocco & Ioverno, 2016; Baiocco et al., 2014; Baiocco et al., 2010; Eliason, 2001) because traditional gender norms and homophobic attitudes are still rife.
Prior research on CO to the parents has concentrated mostly on initial parental reactions relies on the LGBQ+ people's recollection of parents' reactions (D'Augelli, 2006; Pistella et al., 2016), finding that such responses may be protective or risk factors (Baiocco et al., 2015; Costa, Pereira, & Leal, 2013). Specifically, CO to parents has been recognized in the literature as a substantial challenge that could revolutionize family relationships, and it may be associated with family conflict and parents' mental health issues (Willoughby et al., 2008). In addition, CO can lead to compromised well-being and increased risk behaviors in LGBQ+ people (Baiocco et al., 2010; Heatherington & Lavner, 2008; Rosario et al., 2009).
Again, research on parents' perspectives of LGBQ+ people is currently limited, but the interest in this topic is growing. However, few studies have reported initial parental reactions as described by the parents. For instance, qualitative studies have found that it is common for parents to experience sadness (Saltzburg, 2004), denial, remorse, depression, guilt, and concern for their son/daughter (Herdt & Koff, 2000), describing a period of family trouble following learning of their offspring's sexual orientation (Boxer et al., 1991). Again, Grafsky (2014), using semi-structured, in-depth interviews with eight parents of lesbian daughters and gay sons, highlighted that becoming the parent of an LGBQ+ offspring is a complex process that emphasizes the relational nature of the experience (Grafsky, 2014). However, to our knowledge, no quantitative studies have investigated the parent perspective of the experience of disclosure of their sons/daughters, moving beyond initial reactions (i.e., at least 10 years after the disclosure of their sons or daughters). In addition, no previous studies have investigated the parent perspective of the offspring disclosure, conceptualizing CO not as an event but as a process impacting the entirety of the family system (Bilodeau & Renn, 2005; Chaudior & Fisher, 2010; Grafsky, 2014).
The findings of this project could have important implications for researchers and mental health professionals who might work with parents of LGBQ+ people. For instance, it is crucial to help parents access social support from other parents of LGBQ+ people because they can share their emotions and experiences honestly and openly (Gonzalez et al., 2013; Malpas, 2011). Furthermore, such supports may help parents to create different meanings that facilitate their generativity (Rosati et al., 2021): In this way, parents will be or become allies of their LGBQ+ offspring and the LGBQ+ community. Another innovative aspect of the present research project is a better understanding of the role that parents' reactions may have on the well-being of LGBQ+ offspring, using both quantitative and qualitative approaches. Finally, the practical implications of the present research project will regard the well-being of parents of LGBQ+ people and the mental health and well-being of individuals who identify as a sexual minority.