Psychology

Perception and internalization of Adoption stigma Among gay, Lesbian, and Heterosexual adoptive parents

Document Type

Article

Abstract

Using data from 30 gay male, 45 lesbian, and 51 heterosexual couples who had recently adopted a child, the current study sought to (1) create and validate a measure that differentiated between perception of societal stigma about adoption and internalization of adoption stigma; (2) examine whether gender, sexual orientation, preferential adoption status, and transracial adoption status were associated with perception and internalization of adoption stigma; and (3) examine the association between adoption stigma and depression. Results indicated that the Feelings About Adoption Scale (FAAS) is a valid measure of perceived and internalized adoption stigma. Women perceived higher levels of stigma than men, and heterosexual in-racial adopters reported higher levels of internalized stigma than heterosexual transracial adopters, gay/lesbian transracial adopters, and gay/lesbian in-racial adopters. Participants who reported high levels of internalized stigma were more depressed. More research is needed to further validate the FAAS. © Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.

Publication Title

Journal of GLBT Family Studies

Publication Date

1-1-2011

Volume

7

Issue

1-2

First Page

132

Last Page

154

ISSN

1550-428X

DOI

10.1080/1550428X.2011.537554

Keywords

adoption, depression, gay, lesbian, race, stigma, transracial

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