Sarah Dalton

Defense Date

2-25-2015

Graduation Date

2015

Availability

Immediate Access

Submission Type

dissertation

Degree Name

PhD

Department

Counseling, Psychology, & Special Education

School

School of Education

Committee Chair

Jered Kolbert

Committee Member

Matthew Bundick

Committee Member

Carol Parke

Keywords

correlation, moderation, parental acceptance, self-acceptance, sexual orientation, well-being

Abstract

The purpose of this investigation was to determine whether perceived maternal, paternal, and/or parental acceptance for a lesbian, gay, or bisexual (LGB) person's sexual orientation correlated with well-being and/or moderated the relationship between the LGB person's levels of self-acceptance and well-being. The following dissertation outlines the negative mental health and well-being implications of unsupportive social and family systems for LGB individuals. Given the importance of parental support for all individuals, the study extends the available research literature as it seeks to understand how parental acceptance for one's sexual orientation impacts self-acceptance and well-being, for which little research has previously been conducted. Specifically, the study investigates whether the amount of perceived maternal and paternal acceptance for one's sexual orientation moderates the relationship between self-acceptance and well-being indicators such as positive relations with others, happiness, self-esteem, and satisfaction with life. The study results found that perceived maternal and paternal acceptance are both positively and significantly correlated to each of the well-being indicators; positive relations with others, happiness, self-esteem, and satisfaction with life. Perceived maternal and paternal acceptance were found not to be moderators of self-acceptance and well-being, therefore, neither was more significant for moderating the relationship between self-acceptance and well-being. Average parental acceptance was also not a moderator of self-acceptance and well-being.

Format

PDF

Language

English

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