UNDERSTANDING THE CURRENT STATUS OF PARENTAL ACCEPTANCE-REJECTION FOR LGBTQ+YOUTH ACROSS THE GLOBE

Although few studies have utilized IPARTheory to discuss parental acceptance-rejection for LGBTQ+ individuals, research indicates similar trends for LGBTQ+ individuals across the acceptance-rejection spectrum. The concept of parental acceptance-rejection follows similar trends for LGBTQ+ individuals as it does for the general population. However, LGBTQ+ individuals have nuanced experiences with parents where they may be conditionally accepted (e.g., I support you, but not your sexual or gender identity) or may even experience undifferentiated rejection that they may not otherwise have experienced had they identified as cisgender and heterosexual. Parental acceptance-rejection also varies vastly across the globe, with most Western cultures being mostly accepting of LGBTQ+ people. At the same time, many Eastern European, South American, Asian, and African countries report higher rates of identity-based rejection. Parental acceptance can be a significant protective factor against both mental and physical health concerns, whereas parental rejection can increase the risk for chronic mental and physical health conditions.