Parental Sensitivity and Child–Parent Attachment Security in Lesbian and Gay Parent Families Through Assisted Reproduction

Abstract

This longitudinal study examined parental sensitivity and child–parent attachment security in lesbian and gay parent families formed through assisted reproduction, comparing them to thresholds established in prior research. Additionally, it investigated differences in parental sensitivity, child–parent attachment security (measured 1 year later), and the strength of their association based on parent gender and attachment figure role. Participants included 76 lesbian mothers (from 38 families) through sperm donation and 72 gay fathers (from 36 families) through surrogacy, all White and residing in Italy, with first-born children (52.70% assigned female at birth) aged 36.00 months (SD = 9.16) at Time 1 and 48.38 months (SD = 9.22) at Time 2. Within each family, parents identified the primary and secondary attachment figures. Both lesbian mothers and gay fathers exhibited high levels of sensitivity, and their children demonstrated comparable attachment security. Regardless of parent gender, primary attachment figures displayed greater sensitivity, and children showed higher attachment security to their primary attachment figure than to their secondary attachment figure. The strength of the association between parental sensitivity and child–parent attachment security did not vary by parent gender, attachment figure role, or their interaction. However, a significant positive association between parental sensitivity and attachment security was found within all groups except gay father secondary attachment figures. The findings offer valuable insights for prospective lesbian and gay parents, policymakers, and reproductive and mental health practitioners while moving beyond polarized debates on parent gender versus attachment figure role.