Parent-reported measures of child health and wellbeing in same-sex parent families: a cross-sectional survey

Background: It has been suggested that children with same-sex attracted parents score well in psychosocial aspects of their health, however questions remain about the impact of stigma on these children. Research to date has focused on lesbian parents and has been limited by small sample sizes. This study aims to describe the physical, mental and social wellbeing of Australian children with same-sex attracted parents, and the impact that stigma has on them. Methods: A cross-sectional survey, the Australian Study of Child Health in Same-Sex Families, was distributed in 2012 to a convenience sample of 390 parents from Australia who self-identified as same-sex attracted and had children aged 0-17 years. Parent-reported, multidimensional measures of child health and wellbeing and the relationship to perceived stigma were measured. Results: 315 parents completed the survey (completion rate = 81%) representing 500 children. 80% of children had a female index parent while 18% had a male index parent. Children in same-sex parent families had higher scores on measures of general behavior, general health and family cohesion compared to population normative data (β = 2.93, 95% CI = 0.35 to 5.52, P = .03; β = 5.60, 95% CI = 2.69 to 8.52, P = <.001; and β = 6.01, 95% CI = 2.84 to 9.17, P = <.001 respectively). There were no significant differences between the two groups for all other scale scores. Physical activity, mental health, and family cohesion were all negatively associated with increased stigma (β = -3.03, 95% CI = -5.86 to -0.21, P = .04; β = -10.45, 95% CI = -18.48 to -2.42, P = .01; and β = -9.82, 95% CI = -17.86 to -1.78, P = .02 respectively) and the presence of emotional symptoms was positively associated with increased stigma (β =0.94, 95% CI = 0.08 to 1.81, P = .03). Conclusions: Australian children with same-sex attracted parents score higher than population samples on a number of parent-reported measures of child health. Perceived stigma is negatively associated with mental health. Through improved awareness of stigma these findings play an important role in health policy, improving child health outcomes.

本研究旨在探讨同性吸引父母的孩子在身体、心理和社会福祉方面的健康状况，并分析污名化对这些孩子的影响。研究问题包括：同性吸引父母的孩子是否在健康方面与普通人群存在显著差异？污名化感知是否对孩子的身心健康产生负面影响？

本研究采用横断面调查方法，使用2012年发布的《澳大利亚同性家庭儿童健康研究》问卷。样本来自390名自我认同为同性吸引的父母，且这些父母的孩子年龄在0至17岁之间。研究通过家长报告的多维度儿童健康和福祉量表，结合对污名化的感知进行分析。

研究发现，同性吸引父母的孩子在一般行为、健康状况和家庭凝聚力方面得分高于人口规范数据。然而，感知到的污名化与孩子的身体活动、心理健康和家庭凝聚力呈负相关，且污名化的感知与情绪症状呈正相关。研究表明，减少污名化的感知对改善儿童的身心健康具有重要作用，并且能够为健康政策提供指导。