Perceived Parental Support Scale-LG (PPSS-LG)

Abstract

The Perceived Parental Support Scale-Lesbian Gay (PPSS-LG) is a specialized psychometric instrument developed by Sean Travis Clouse in 2007. Its primary purpose is to assess the subjective level of acceptance, affirmation, and support that lesbian and gay individuals perceive from their parents concerning their sexual identity and romantic relationships. Unlike general measures of parental support, the PPSS-LG focuses exclusively on identity-specific support, including parental behaviors related to disclosure, relational recognition, and advocacy. The scale evolved from a preliminary 36-item version to a refined 22-item instrument based on robust psychometric analysis conducted during its development.

Keywords

Perceived Parental Support Scale-LG, PPSS-LG, Lesbian, Gay, Parental Support, Sexual Identity, Psychological Scale, LGBTQ+, Family Acceptance.

Authors

Sean Travis Clouse

Purpose

The core purpose of the PPSS-LG is to provide researchers and clinicians with a reliable measure of the unique challenges and dynamics inherent in parental support for lesbian and gay children. Traditional measures of perceived parental support often fail to capture the specific dimensions related to sexual minority status, such as active defense of identity, comfortable integration of partners into family life, and engagement in identity-affirming resources.

The scale aims to quantify the degree to which parents demonstrate behaviors ranging from outright rejection (or subtle discomfort) to genuine affirmation and advocacy, providing a critical metric for understanding mental health outcomes and resilience among LGBTQ+ individuals.

Construct

The PPSS-LG measures the psychological construct of identity-specific parental support. This construct is multidimensional, encompassing the respondent’s perception of their parents’ attitudes and behaviors across several key domains related to their sexual orientation.

These domains typically include: Identity Acceptance (e.g., avoiding efforts to change the identity), Relationship Recognition (e.g., welcoming the partner and valuing the relationship), and Active Engagement/Advocacy (e.g., seeking resources or defending the identity to others). The scale captures the subjective experience of the individual, which is often more predictive of psychological well-being than objective parental behavior alone.

Validity

Initial validity evidence for the PPSS-LG was established through the developmental process detailed in Clouse’s 2007 doctoral dissertation. The development utilized rigorous statistical procedures to ensure the items accurately measured the intended construct.

The process included expert review and statistical testing to establish initial construct validity, ensuring the scale differentiates between high and low levels of perceived identity support. The reduction from 36 preliminary items to 22 final items was guided by exploratory factor analysis, aiming to maximize internal consistency and ensure dimensional purity. Further research is required to fully establish convergent and discriminant validity across diverse samples.

Reliability

Reliability of the PPSS-LG was assessed through measures of internal consistency during the validation phase (Clouse, 2007). Scales measuring psychological constructs must demonstrate high internal reliability, typically measured using Cronbach’s alpha, to ensure that all items contribute cohesively to the overall score.

While specific alpha coefficients are housed within the dissertation, the refinement of the scale through item removal suggests that the final 22-item version possesses improved internal consistency, making it a reliable tool for measuring the consistent perception of parental support specific to lesbian and gay identities.

Factor Analysis

The development of the PPSS-LG involved an exploratory factor analysis (EFA) to determine the underlying structure of parental support as perceived by lesbian and gay adults. This analysis was crucial in streamlining the preliminary 36-item pool down to the final 22 items.

The EFA likely identified several distinct, yet correlated, factors of perceived support. These factors help researchers understand the nuanced ways parents express acceptance—differentiating between passive acceptance (not discouraging the identity) and active support (engaging with the community, such as PFLAG). Identifying these factors allows for a more detailed assessment of parental behavior beyond a single, global support score.

Instrument

Test Type: Self-Report Questionnaire

Format: 5-point Likert Scale (1=Strongly Disagree, 2=Somewhat Disagree, 3=Neutral, 4=Somewhat Agree, 5=Strongly Agree)

Language Available: English (Original)

Population Group: Sexual Minorities (Lesbian and Gay Individuals)

Age Group: Adults (Developed using a college-aged population but applicable to broader adult samples)

Population Details: Specifically designed for individuals who identify as lesbian or gay and are reflecting on their parents’ support regarding this identity.

Test Methodology: Summation of item scores, with reverse-scored items adjusted, to derive a total score of perceived parental support. Higher scores indicate greater perceived support and affirmation.

Keywords

Lesbian, Gay, Parental Acceptance, Family Dynamics, Psychometrics, Sean Travis Clouse, Identity Affirmation, Sexual Minority Stress, University of Missouri-Columbia.

Authors

Author ORCID Identifier: Not publicly available in source material.

Affiliation Email addresses: [email protected]

Correspondence Address: University of Missouri-Columbia (Affiliation at time of development)

Permissions & Fee and Test Year

The Perceived Parental Support Scale-LG was developed and validated in 2007. Permissions for use of the scale are typically managed by the author, Sean Travis Clouse, or the granting institution (University of Missouri-Columbia). Researchers interested in utilizing the scale should contact the author directly via the provided email address for specific usage fees and licensing requirements.

Reference’s

Clouse, Sean Travis. (2007). Development and validation of the Perceived Parental Social Support Scale-Lesbian Gay. University of Missouri-Columbia. Doctoral Dissertation.

The original PDF containing the scale instrument and developmental information can be downloaded here: https://mospace.umsystem.edu/xmlui/bitstream/handle/10355/4730/research.pdf?sequence=3

Items of the Perceived Parental Support Scale-LG (PPSS-LG)

Preliminary PPSS-LG (36 Items)

1. My parents would never encourage me to change my gay/lesbian identity.
2. My parents rarely give me the emotional support I need. (R)
3. My parents would defend my gay/lesbian identity to other family members.
4. I think my parents would be uncomfortable with my gay/lesbian identity. (R)
5. My parents change the subject when we discuss my gay/lesbian identity. (R)
6. My parent(s) have rarely talked about my identity. (R)
7. When I confide in my parents‚ I get the idea that it makes them uncomfortable. (R)
8. My parents would blame me for being victimized because of my gay/lesbian identity.
9. I feel comfortable confiding in my parents.
10. My parents would not be supportive of my gay/lesbian identity. (R)
11. I share much of my life with my parents.
12. My parents would never admit to friends or associates my gay/lesbian identity. (R)
13. I rely on my parents for emotional support.
14. My parents would be supportive of my actual romantic relationships.
15. I would not feel comfortable talking about my gay/lesbian identity with my parents. (R)
16. My parent(s) would ask about my partner when I speak to them.
17. My parent(s) would invite my partner to family functions and celebrations.
18. My parent(s) would not accept my partner as part of the family.
19. My partner would always be welcome to family functions and celebrations.
20. It is clear that my partner would be considered a part of my family.
21. My parent(s) would refer to my partner as my “roommate” or “friend” when speaking to others about me.
22. My parent(s) would value my relationship as much as others in my family.
23. When interacting with other family members my parent(s) do not refer to my partner. (R)
24. I believe that my parent(s) would be genuinely concerned about my partner’s well being.
25. I do not feel I would have to hide my identity from my parent(s).
26. My parent(s) would help pay my bills when I cannot.
27. My parent(s) would identify my partner and I as a couple rather than individually.
28. My relationship would be talked about openly with my parent(s).
29. My parent(s) would seek out resources on lesbian and gay concerns to better understand my identity.
30. My parent(s) would talk openly about their struggle with understanding my identity development
31. My parent(s) would talk openly about my experiences related to my identity.
32. My parent(s) rarely ask about my daily activities. (R)
33. My parent(s) would regularly attend a parental support meeting (e.g.‚ Parents‚ Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays).
34. My parent(s) would be actively involved in a community parental support organization (e.g.‚ PFLAG).
35. I would feel comfortable talking with my parents about my relationships.
36. My parent(s) would ask about my lesbian and gay friends.

Final Perceived Parental Support Scale-Lesbian/Gay (22 Items)

Response Scale: 1-Strongly Disagree‚ 2- Somewhat Disagree‚ 3- Neutral‚ 4- Somewhat Agree‚ 5-Strongly Agree

1. My parents would never encourage me to change my gay/lesbian identity.
2. My parents would defend my gay/lesbian identity to other family members.
3. I think my parents would be uncomfortable with my gay/lesbian identity.
4. My parents change the subject when we discuss my gay/lesbian identity.
5. My parent(s) have rarely talk about my identity
6. My parents would not be supportive of my gay/lesbian identity.
7. My parents would never admit to friends or associates my gay/lesbian identity.
8. My parents would be supportive of my actual romantic relationships.
9. My parent(s) would ask about my partner when I speak to them
10. My parent(s) would invite my partner to family functions and celebrations
11. My parent(s) would not accept my partner as part of the family
12. My parent(s) would refer to my partner as my “roommate” or “friend” when speaking to others about me
13. My parent(s) would value my relationship as much as others in my family
14. When interacting with other family members my parent(s) do not refer to my partner
15. I believe that my parent(s) would be genuinely concerned about my partner’s well being.
16. My parent(s) would seek out resources on lesbian and gay concerns to better understand my identity
17. My parent(s) would talk openly about their struggle with understanding my identity development
18. My parent(s) would talk openly about my experiences related to my identity
19. My parent(s) would regularly attended a parental support meeting (e.g.‚ Parents‚ Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays)
20. My parent(s) would be actively involved in a community parental support organization (e.g.‚ PFLAG)
21. I would feel comfortable talking with my parents about my relationships
22. My parent(s) would ask about my lesbian and gay friends