title: Social support and coparenting among lesbian, gay, and heterosexual adoptive parents.
abstract: In this study, we examined associations between qualities of families' social contexts and experiences of coparenting. In a sample of 92 adoptive families, we assessed perceived social support among 23 lesbian, 28 gay, and 41 heterosexual adoptive parent families and its association with parents' perceptions of their coparenting alliances. Results showed that parents in same- and other-sex couples reported receiving similar amounts of social support from family, friends, and significant others. Perceived social support was positively associated with stronger coparenting alliance among all family types. Perceived support from family members explained more variance in parenting alliance than did support from friends or significant others. These findings add to knowledge about fundamental family processes and enhance understanding of parenthood among lesbian and gay adoptive couples. (PsycINFO Database Record
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology.
authors.forename: Jason
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-0016-3569
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sumontha
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Kentucky.
authors.forename: Rachel H
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Farr
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology.
authors.forename: Charlotte J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Patterson
mesh_terms: D000300:Adoption / Q000523:psychology*; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005195:Family Relations / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D020010:Heterosexuality / Q000523:psychology*; D018452:Homosexuality, Female / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016487:Parenting / Q000523:psychology*; D010290:Parents / Q000523:psychology*; D000072339:Sexual and Gender Minorities / Q000523:psychology*; D012944:Social Support