RADICLE Moms study: Minority stress and implications for lesbian mothers

Abstract

Little is known about depressive symptoms among mothers who identify as lesbian. The aim of the researchers in the Relationships And Depression In Childbearing LEsbian (RADICLE) Moms study was to investigate the minority stress model to determine if higher levels of social support altered the relationship between gay-specific minority stress and depressive symptoms in a sample of self-identified lesbian women who had one or more children less than 18 years of age living in the household. The authors hypothesized that social support would influence the relationship between depressive symptoms and minority stress. Participants (n = 131) completed an anonymous Internet survey between May and December, 2011. Controlling for demographic factors and utilizing independent hierarchical multiple regression analyses the authors examined the relationships between depressive symptoms and social support, minority stress, and general stress. While each of these factors had a significantly positive relationship to depressive symptoms, using stepwise regression analyses the authors identified general stress as the most significant factor. Mediation analysis revealed that social support fully mediated the relationship between minority stress and depressive symptoms. This pilot study provides support for development of intervention strategies to decrease general stress and or increase social support among lesbian mothers.

Keywords: Depressive symptoms; gay stress; general stress; lesbian/sexual orientation; minority stress; motherhood; social support.