Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Piloting Lead with Love: A Film-Based Intervention to Improve Parents’ Responses to Their Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Children

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
The Journal of Primary Prevention Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Lesbian, gay, and bisexual youth are at increased risk for a variety of poor health outcomes, relative to their heterosexual counterparts, and recent research implicates family responses to a child’s sexual orientation as an important predictor of these health difficulties. Lead with Love is a 35-min documentary-style preventive intervention created to improve parents’ behaviors toward their lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) children, by providing parents with support, information, and concrete behavioral guidance. The film was made available free online, and was promoted widely with a multi-media marketing campaign. In this paper we describe the theoretical and empirical rationale for the intervention, and report findings from pilot data collected in the first year after the film’s release. Specifically, we gathered data to examine the feasibility of reaching parents of LGB youth with this intervention, to determine whether it was acceptable, and to provide preliminary indicators of its potential efficacy. In the first 12 months after launch, 10,949 individuals viewed the film online. The film successfully reached parents of LGB youth (n = 1,865), including the hardest to reach parents: 21 % had only learned about their child’s sexual orientation in the past month, 36 % reported having an LGB child was “very” or “extremely” hard for them, and 86 % had never obtained any other formal support for having an LGB child. Parents who completed a follow-up assessment immediately after the film reported significant pre- to post-film increases in self-efficacy for parenting an LGB child.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Bae, H. S., & Kang, S. (2008). The influence of viewing an entertainment-education program on cornea donation intention: A test of the theory of planned behavior. Health Communication, 23, 87–89.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bandura, A. (2001). Social cognitive theory of mass communication. Media Psychology, 3, 265–298.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Beardslee, W. R., Gladstone, T. R. G., Wright, E. J., & Cooper, A. B. (2003). A family-based approach to the prevention of depressive symptoms in children at risk: Evidence of parental and child change. Pediatrics, 112, e119–e131.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Beeler, J., & DiProva, V. (1999). Family adjustment following disclosure of homosexuality by a member: Themes discerned in narrative accounts. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 25(4), 443–459. doi:10.1111/j.1752-0606.1999.tb00261.x.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bernstein, B. E. (1990). Attitudes and issues of parents of gay men and lesbians and implications for therapy. Journal of Gay and Lesbian Psychotherapy, 1(3), 37–53.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Borrayo, E. A. (2004). Where’s Maria? A video to increase awareness about breast cancer and mammography screening among low-literacy Latinas. Preventative Medicine, 39, 99–110.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bouris, A., Guilamo-Ramos, V., Pickard, A., Shiu, C., Loosier, P., Dittus, P., et al. (2010). A systematic review of parental influences on the health and well-being of lesbian, gay, and bisexual youth: Time for a new public health research and practice agenda. Journal of Primary Prevention, 31(5–6), 273–309.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Chiasson, M. A., Shaw, F. S., Humberstone, M., Hirshfield, S., & Hartel, D. (2009). Increased HIV disclosure three months after an online video intervention for men who have sex with men (MSM). AIDS Care, 21(9), 1081–1089.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Cookston, J. T., Braver, S. L., Griffin, W. A., De Lusé, S. R., & Miles, J. C. (2007). Effects of the dads for life intervention on interparental conflict and coparenting in the two years after divorce. Family Process, 46(1), 123–137. doi:10.1111/j.1545-5300.2006.00196.x.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Dimidjian, S., Hollon, S. D., Dobson, K. S., Schmaling, K. B., Kohlenberg, R. J., Addis, M. E., et al. (2006). Randomized trial of behavioral activation, cognitive therapy, and antidepressant medication in the acute treatment of adults with major depression. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 74(4), 658–670.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Downs, J. S., Murray, P. J., de Bruine Bruin, W., Penrose, J., C, P., & Fischhoff, B. (2004). Interactive video behavioral intervention to reduce adolescent females’ STD risk: A randomized controlled trial. Social Science and Medicine, 59(8), 1561–1572.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Goodrich, K. M. (2009). Mom and dad come out: The process of identifying as a heterosexual parent with a lesbian, gay, or bisexual child. Journal of LGBT Issues in Counseling, 3(1), 37–61.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Haine, R. A., Ayers, T. S., Sandler, I. N., & Wolchik, S. A. (2008). Evidence-based practices for parentally bereaved children and their families. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 39(2), 113–121. doi:10.1037/0735-7028.39.2.113.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hether, H. J., Huang, G. C., Beck, V., Murphy, S. T., & Valente, T. W. (2008). Entertainment-education in a media saturated environment: Examining the impact of single and multiple exposures to breast cancer storylines on two popular medical dramas. Journal of Health Communication, 13, 808–823.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Institute of Medicine. (2011). The Health of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender People: Building a Foundation for Better Understanding. Washington: The National Academies Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jacobson, N. S., Martell, C. R., & Dimidjian, S. (2001). Behavioral activation treatment for depression: Returning to contextual roots. Clinical Psychology: Science and Practice, 8, 255–270.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Janda, M., Stanek, C., Newman, B., Obermair, A., & Trimmel, M. (2002). Impact of videotaped information on frequency and confidence of breast self-examination. Breast Cancer Research and Treatment, 73(1), 37–43.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Jibaya, M. L., Kingery, P., Neff, N. E., Smith, Q., Bowman, J., & Holcomb, J. D. (2000). Tailored, interactive soap operas for breast cancer education of high-risk Hispanic women. Journal of Cancer Education, 15(4), 237–242.

    Google Scholar 

  • Johnston, C., & Mash, E. J. (1989). A measure of parenting satisfaction and efficacy. Journal of Clinical Child Psychology, 18(2), 167–175.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kumpfer, K. L., & Alvarado, R. (2003). Family-strengthening approaches for the prevention of youth problem behaviors. The American Psychologist, 58, 457–465.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lapinski, M. K., & Nwulu, P. (2008). Can a short film impact HIV-related risk and stigma perceptions? Results from an experiment in Abuja, Nigeria. Health Communication, 23, 403–412.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Livingston, G. (2011). Latinos and Digital Technology, 2010. Washington: Pew Hispanic Center.

    Google Scholar 

  • Love, G. D., Mouttapa, M., & Tanjasiri, S. P. (2009). Everybody’s talking: Using entertainment-education video to reduce barriers to discussion of cervical cancer screening among Thai women. Health Education Research, 24(5), 829–838.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Meyer, I. H. (2003). Prejudice, social stress, and mental health in lesbian, gay, and bisexual populations: Conceptual issues and research evidence. Psychological Bulletin, 129(5), 674–697.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Miller, W. R., & Rollnick, S. (2002). Motivational Interviewing: Preparing People for Change (2nd ed.). New York: Guilford Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Papa, M. J., Singhal, A., Law, S., Pant, S., Sood, S., Rogers, E. J., et al. (2000). Entertainment-education and social change: An analysis of parasocial interaction, social learning, collective efficacy, and paradoxical communication. Journal of Communication, 50, 31–55.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pappas-DeLuca, K. A., Kraft, J. M., Galavotti, C., Warner, L., Mooki, M., Hastings, P., et al. (2008). Entertainment-education radio serial drama and outcomes related to HIV testing in Botswana. AIDS Education and Prevention, 20(6), 486–503.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Phillips, M. J., & Ancis, J. R. (2008). The process of identity development as the parent of a lesbian or gay male. Journal of LGBT Issues in Counseling, 2(2), 126–158.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ryan, C., Huebner, D., Diaz, R. M., & Sanchez, J. (2009). Family rejection as a predictor of negative health outcomes in white and Latino lesbian, gay, and bisexual young adults. Pediatrics, 123(1), 346–352.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Saltzburg, S. (2004). Learning that an adolescent child is gay or lesbian: The parent experience. Social Work, 49(1), 109–118.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Sanders, M. R., Markie-Dadds, C., Tully, L. A., & Bor, W. (2000). The triple P-Positive parenting program: A comparison of ehance, standard, and self-directed behavioral family intervention for parents of children with early onset conduct problems. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 66, 624–640.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Singhal, A., & Rogers, E. M. (2002). A theoretical agenda for entertainment—education. Communication Theory, 12(2), 117–135.

    Google Scholar 

  • Singhal, A., & Rogers, E. M. (2004). The status of entertainment-education worldwide. In A. Singhal, M. J. Cody, E. M. Rogers, & M. Sabido (Eds.), Entertainment-Education and Social Change: History, Research, and Practice (pp. 3–20). Mahwah: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.

    Google Scholar 

  • Slater, M. D., & Rouner, D. (2002). Entertainment-education and elaboration likelihood: Understanding the processing of narrative persuasion. Communication Theory, 12, 173–191.

    Google Scholar 

  • Taylor, T. K., & Biglan, A. (1998). Behavioral family interventions for improving child-rearing: A review of the literature for clicians and policy makers. Clinical Child and Family Psychology Review, 1(1), 41–60.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wakeley, M. D., & Tuason, M. G. (2011). Tasks in acceptance: Mothers of lesbian daughters. Journal of Gay and Lesbian Social Services: The Quarterly Journal of Community and Clinical Practice, 23(1), 1–29.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Watson, J. B. (1924). Behaviorism. New York: The People’s Institute Publishing Company.

    Google Scholar 

  • Watson, J. B., Tolman, E. C., Titchener, E. B., Lashley, K. S., & Thorndike, E. L. (2009). Behaviorism: Classic Studies. Scotts Valley: IAP.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wilkin, H. A., Valente, T. W., Murphy, S., Cody, M. J., Huang, G., & Beck, V. (2007). Does entertainment-education work with Latinos in the United States? Identification and the effects of a Telenovela breast cancer storyline. Journal of Health Communication, 12, 455–469.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Will, K. E., Sabo, C. S., & Porter, B. E. (2009). Evaluation of boost ‘Em in the back seat program: Using fear and efficacy to increase booster seat use. Accident Analysis and Prevention, 41, 57–65.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

This research was supported by Grant MH072381 from the National Institute for Mental Health. The authors would like to acknowledge Kendrick Allen, Molly Butterworth, and Julia Mackaronis for their contributions to developing the intervention, Karl Jennings for his assistance with data reduction and manuscript preparation, as well as Kathy Godwin and PFLAG Utah for their support of the project. Finally, the authors would like to thank the families who appeared in the film for bravely sharing their personal stories, without which this project would not have been possible. Collection of evaluation data was approved by the Institutional Review Board at the University of Utah.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, University of Utah, 380 South 1530 East, Room 502, Salt Lake City, UT, 84122, USA

    David M. Huebner, Brian C. Thoma & Larissa A. McGarrity

  2. Program in Human Sexuality, Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA

    Jordan E. Rullo

  3. Jenny Mackenzie Films, Salt Lake City, UT, USA

    Jenny Mackenzie

Authors
  1. David M. Huebner
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Jordan E. Rullo
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Brian C. Thoma
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Larissa A. McGarrity
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Jenny Mackenzie
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to David M. Huebner.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Huebner, D.M., Rullo, J.E., Thoma, B.C. et al. Piloting Lead with Love: A Film-Based Intervention to Improve Parents’ Responses to Their Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Children. J Primary Prevent 34, 359–369 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10935-013-0319-y

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10935-013-0319-y

Keywords

Search

Navigation