Social support and coparenting among lesbian, gay, and heterosexual adoptive parents

Jason Sumontha, Rachel H. Farr, Charlotte J. Patterson

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

27 Scopus citations

Abstract

In this study, we examined associations between qualities of families' social contexts and experiences of coparenting. In a sample of 92 adoptive families, we assessed perceived social support among 23 lesbian, 28 gay, and 41 heterosexual adoptive parent families and its association with parents' perceptions of their coparenting alliances. Results showed that parents in same- and other-sex couples reported receiving similar amounts of social support from family, friends, and significant others. Perceived social support was positively associated with stronger coparenting alliance among all family types. Perceived support from family members explained more variance in parenting alliance than did support from friends or significant others. These findings add to knowledge about fundamental family processes and enhance understanding of parenthood among lesbian and gay adoptive couples.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)987-996
Number of pages10
JournalJournal of Family Psychology
Volume30
Issue number8
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 1 2016

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2016 American Psychological Association.

Keywords

  • Adoption
  • Coparenting
  • Sexual minority parents
  • Sexual orientation
  • Social support

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Psychology

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Social support and coparenting among lesbian, gay, and heterosexual adoptive parents'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this