How Intergenerational Childbearing Expectations contribute to childbearing anxiety among Chinese LGBTQ+ individuals: a mixed-methods study

In Confucian-influenced Chinese culture, childbearing is seen not just as a personal decision but a moral and familial duty, especially for younger generations. However, little research has examined how Intergenerational Childbearing Expectations (ICE) impact Childbearing Anxiety (CA) among Chinese LGBTQ+ individuals. This explanatory sequential mixed-methods study (N = 330) found that ICE significantly positively predicted CA for LGBQ+ individuals. Filial piety also significantly and positively predicted CA, yet it buffered the effect of ICE on CA. Different dimensions of filial piety show distinct patterns of association. A thematic analysis of interviews with 12 LGBTQ+ participants revealed four key themes: (a) Social Norms and Structural Exclusion, (b) Intergenerational Dynamics and Familial Conflict, (c) Identity Struggles and Filial Piety Tensions, and (d) Personal Autonomy and Existential Anxiety. These findings show that Confucian family values can both aggravate and soothe childbearing anxiety, creating a distinct psychological dilemma for LGBTQ+ individuals navigating conflicting cultural and personal identities. By proposing a new framework linking ICE, filial piety, and CA, this study highlights the urgent need for culturally sensitive mental health interventions that address the nuanced experiences of LGBTQ+ individuals within traditional Chinese familial structures.