Intersectionality and Well-Being Among Racial/Ethnic Minority and LGB Youth: Extended Family Members as Support Against Negative Parental Reactions to Coming Out

Abstract

Past research generally assumes that non-normative identities lead to pathology and victimization. Studies examining family influences on development of racial/ethnic and lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) youth have mostly used a nuclear family paradigm and deficit model. In cross-cultural psychology, however, taking a person-centered approach addresses both strengths and challenges of living with stigmatized identities and diverse family structures. Therefore, we analyze how extended family member presence and support moderates the association between parental reactions to coming out and youth's internalizing and externalizing behaviors among 499 LGB-identified youth aged 15-19 in a major U.S. metropolitan city. We draw upon a cultural strengths perspective to consider how familism and extended kinship presence ameliorates adjustment problems for youth whose parents react negatively to coming out, and how these connections contribute to positive youth adjustment and well-being for ethnic/racial and sexual minority youth.