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.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.