Positive social relationships, belonging, and psychological health
Supportive families, parents, caretakers, friends, and peers are critical for helping diverse LGBTQ+ adolescents and emerging adults feel a sense of acceptance, affirmation, belonging, and social connection. These supportive social relationships can protect LGBTQ+ adolescents and emerging adults against the effects of multiple minority stressors and lower risk for worse psychological health outcomes. In ARC, we examine the protective and buffering effects of family and peer social support and social connection and belonging as forms of resistance and resilience.
Representative peer-reviewed published articles:
Parra, L. A., Bell, T.S., Benibgui, M., Helm, J. L., & Hastings, P. D. (2017). The buffering effect of peer social support: Peer support, family rejection, and psychosocial adjustment in LGB emerging adults. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 34(7), 189–211. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/0265407517699713(Download PDF)
Parra, L. A., van Bergen, Dumon, E., Kretschmer, T., La Roi, C., Portzky, G., & Frost, D. (2021). Family belongingness attenuates entrapment and buffers its association with suicidal ideation in a sample of Dutch sexual minority emerging adults. Archives of Sexual Behavior. Advance online publication. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10508-020-01838-0(Download PDF)
O’Brien, R. P., Parra, L. A., & Cederbaum, J. (2021). “Trying my best”: Sexual minority adolescents’ self-care during the COVID-19 pandemic. Journal of Adolescent Health. Advance online publication. DOI: 10.1016/j.jadohealth.2021.03.013(Download PDF)