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Romantic Attachment, Relationship Satisfaction, Internalized Sexual Stigma, and Motives for Parenthood in Italian Lesbian Women and Gay Men

Author

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  • Massimiliano Sommantico

    (Dynamic Psychology Laboratory, Department of Humanities, University of Naples Federico II, Via Porta di Massa 1, 80133 Naples, Italy)

  • Marina Lacatena

    (Dynamic Psychology Laboratory, Department of Humanities, University of Naples Federico II, Via Porta di Massa 1, 80133 Naples, Italy)

  • Ferdinando Ramaglia

    (Dynamic Psychology Laboratory, Department of Humanities, University of Naples Federico II, Via Porta di Massa 1, 80133 Naples, Italy)

Abstract

This study examines romantic attachment, internalized sexual stigma, relationship satisfaction, and motives for parenthood in a sample of 313 Italian lesbian women (47.9%) and gay men (52.1%) aged 18–71 years ( M = 36.2; SD = 11.9) and in same-sex relationships. The following hypotheses were tested: that romantic attachment is positively correlated with internalized stigma and motives to not have children, while it is negatively correlated with relationship satisfaction; that relationship satisfaction is negatively correlated with internalized stigma and motives for parenthood; that internalized stigma is negatively correlated with motives for parenthood; and that relationship satisfaction mediates the relationships between romantic attachment and motives for parenthood and between internalized stigma and motives for parenthood. The results strongly support the hypotheses. Furthermore, the results indicate that the lesbian participants reported lower levels of avoidance and internalized stigma and higher levels of relationship satisfaction and motives to not have children, and the participants in civil unions reported lower levels of anxiety and internalized stigma and higher levels of relationship satisfaction and motives to not have children. Taken together, our findings contribute to the growing body of research on LG parenthood and may inform social policy and psychological support for LG individuals pursuing parenthood.

Suggested Citation

  • Massimiliano Sommantico & Marina Lacatena & Ferdinando Ramaglia, 2023. "Romantic Attachment, Relationship Satisfaction, Internalized Sexual Stigma, and Motives for Parenthood in Italian Lesbian Women and Gay Men," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(14), pages 1-16, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:20:y:2023:i:14:p:6381-:d:1195790
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Mónica Guzmán-González & Nikolás Bekios & Josefa Burgos & Camila Obregón & Benjamín Tabilo & Giulia Casu, 2022. "Attachment and Dyadic Forgiveness in Individuals in Same-Sex Couple Relationships," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(18), pages 1-15, September.
    2. Cristóbal Calvillo & María del Mar Sánchez-Fuentes & Juan Carlos Sierra, 2020. "An Explanatory Model of Sexual Satisfaction in Adults with a Same-Sex Partner: An Analysis Based on Gender Differences," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(10), pages 1-17, May.
    3. Anna Lisa Amodeo & Concetta Esposito & Vincenzo Bochicchio & Paolo Valerio & Roberto Vitelli & Dario Bacchini & Cristiano Scandurra, 2018. "Parenting Desire and Minority Stress in Lesbians and Gay Men: A Mediation Framework," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(10), pages 1-16, October.
    4. Geva Shenkman, 2023. "The Mediating Role of Insecure Attachment in the Gap in Parenthood Desire between Lesbian and Gay Individuals and Their Heterosexual Counterparts," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(5), pages 1-14, February.
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    Cited by:

    1. Tommaso Trombetta & Maria Noemi Paradiso & Fabrizio Santoniccolo & Luca Rollè, 2024. "The Role of Attachment Anxiety and Avoidance in Predicting Proximal Minority Stressors among Gay and Lesbian People in Italy," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 21(6), pages 1-10, May.

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