Parental Status as a Moderator in the Association Between Perceived Discrimination and Life Satisfaction Among LGB Individuals in Israel

The present study examined the associations between perceived discrimination, parental status, and life satisfaction among lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) individuals in Israel. Specifically, we explored whether parental status moderates the negative association between perceived discrimination and life satisfaction. A total of 637 LGB individuals (263 parents and 374 non-parents) completed self-report measures assessing parental status, perceived discrimination and life satisfaction. ANCOVA analyses revealed that LGB parents reported lower levels of perceived discrimination and higher life satisfaction compared to their non-parent peers. Hierarchical regression analyses further showed that perceived discrimination was negatively associated with life satisfaction, and parental status moderated this association, such that the association was significant only among non-parent participants. These findings suggest that parenthood may serve as a resilience factor, mitigating the detrimental psychological impact of discrimination. Within the unique sociocultural context of Israel, where parenthood is a central social ideal, the study contributes novel insights into the minority stress framework and underscores the importance of identifying resilience factors that promote well-being among sexual minorities.