Perception and Internalization of Adoption Stigma among Gay, Lesbian, and Heterosexual Adoptive Parents

Abstract

Using data from 30 gay male, 45 lesbian, and 51 heterosexual couples who had recently adopted a child, the current study sought to (1) create and validate a measure that differentiated between perception of societal stigma about adoption and internalization of adoption stigma; (2) examine whether gender, sexual orientation, preferential adoption status, and transracial adoption status were associated with perception and internalization of adoption stigma; and (3) examine the association between adoption stigma and depression. Results indicated that the Feelings About Adoption Scale (FAAS) is a valid measure of perceived and internalized adoption stigma. Women perceived higher levels of stigma than men, and heterosexual in-racial adopters reported higher levels of internalized stigma than heterosexual transracial adopters, gay/lesbian transracial adopters, and gay/lesbian in-racial adopters. Participants who reported high levels of internalized stigma were more depressed. More research is needed to further validate the FAAS.