“Stigma, social context, and mental health: lesbian and gay couples across the transition to

adoptive parenthood.”

(Abbie E Goldberg et al. J Couns Psychol. 2011 Jan.)

This is the first study to examine change in depression and anxiety across the first year of
adoptive parenthood in same-sex couples (90 couples: 52 lesbian, 38 gay male). Given that
sexual minorities uniquely contend with sexual orientation-related stigma, this study examined
how both internalized and enacted forms of stigma affect the mental health of lesbians and gay
men during the transition to parenthood. In addition, the role of contextual support was
examined. Higher perceived workplace support, family support, and relationship quality were
related to lower depressive and anxious symptoms at the time of the adoption, and higher
perceived friend support was related to lower anxiety symptoms. Lower internalized
homophobia and higher perceived neighborhood gay-friendliness were related to lower
depressive symptoms. Finally, individuals with high internalized homophobia who lived in states
with unfavorable legal climates regarding gay adoption experienced the steepest increases in
depressive and anxious symptoms. Findings have important implications for counselors working
with sexual minorities, especially those experiencing the transition to parenthood.