Attachment-based family therapy for sexual and gender minority young adults and their nonaccepting parents.

This pilot open trial examined the efficacy of attachment-based family therapy (ABFT) for Israeli sexual and gender minority (SGM) young adults and their persistently nonaccepting parents. Thirty families received up to 26 weeks of treatment, with parental rejection, parental acceptance, and young adults' attachment avoidance and attachment anxiety assessed at baseline, 8, 16, 24, and 36 weeks (three months post-treatment). Analyses using multilevel growth models revealed that both young adults and their mothers independently reported increases in mothers' acceptance of their young adult's same-sex orientation or noncisgender identity. In addition, young adults reported decreases in both parents' levels of rejection. Also, mothers, but not fathers, reported decreases in their own level of rejection. Finally, young adults reported a decrease in attachment avoidance in their relationships with both mothers and fathers, but not a decrease in attachment anxiety. Importantly, these treatment gains were maintained three months after the end of treatment. Together, these results suggest that ABFT-SGM, a manualized, affirmative, experiential, family-based treatment, may be effective in reducing long-standing parental rejection, promoting parental acceptance, and improving the quality of LGBTQ+ young adults' relationships with their parents. These findings are encouraging in light of the urgent need for efficacious interventions to reduce family generated minority stress and promote safer, more supportive environments for sexual and gender minority people.

When the child's illness is life threatening: impact on the parents.

An investigation of the impact on parents of children with life threatening (LT) and parents of children with non-life threatening (NLT) chronic illnesses measured satisfaction with social support received, perception of the impact of the child's illness, and coping behaviors. Eighty fathers and 80 mothers of children completed four questionnaires: (a) The Sociodemographic and Illness-related Questionnaire (Krulik, Hirschfield, & Sharon, 1984); (b) Social Support Questionnaire (London, 1988); (c) Perception of the Impact of the Child's Chronic Illness on the Parent Questionnaire (Katz, 1994); and (d) Coping Health Inventory for Parents (CHIP) (McCubbin, McCubbin, Patterson, et al., 1983). The results of parents together and fathers and mothers separately, and parents of LT and parents of NLT chronic illnesses were compared using ANOVA, MANOVA, and Doubly multivariate analysis. Parents of children with LT and NLT illnesses reported significant differences in social support, perception of the impact of the illness, and coping behaviors. Although fathers and mothers reported significant differences in the use of the medical team as a coping behavior, no significant differences were found between fathers and mothers related to social support and perception of the impact of the illness.

Gender differences in adapting to a child's chronic illness: a causal model.

This study investigated (1) the differential impact of the child's chronic illness (CI) on 80 fathers and 80 mothers and the psychosocial variables contributing to their adaptation and (2) the suitability of the causal model based on the Double ABCX Model to predict parents' adaptation to the child's illness. Eight questionnaires relating to the variables were used. Path analysis revealed similarities and differences between fathers and mothers. Social support and coping behaviors were the main variables influencing both parents' adaptation. Differences between fathers and mothers are discussed in this article. The Double ABCX Model is fairly effective in conceptualizing the process of parents' adaptation to the child's CI.

Grandparents of children with developmental disabilities: perceptions, beliefs, and involvement in their care.

This exploratory study evaluated the perceptions and beliefs of grandparents regarding their grandchild with a developmental disability and their involvement in his/her care and the impact of the child's disability on their lives and on their relationship between them. The sample included 16 grandparents of children with a severe developmental disability ranging in age from 5-10 who were studying in a special school. Data was collected by using semistructured interviews in the home of the grandparents. The findings indicated that grandparents' involvement and satisfaction with their role were a function of their attitudes towards disabilities in children in general and their relationship with their adult children, as well as their own life experiences. Their involvement with their grandchild with developmental disability served to strengthen the relationship between the grandparents. An important implication of the study is that professionals should plan interventions to support and encourage grandparents to be more involved in the care of the child with developmental disability.