Using latent profile analysis to understand caregiver response to their rainbow children in Aotearoa New Zealand : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in Psychology at Massey University, Distance, Aotearoa New Zealand
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Date
2025
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Massey University
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Abstract
Parent and primary caregiver acceptance, rejection or a combination of acceptance and rejection of a child with a rainbow/LGBTQIA+ identity is influential in either reducing or contributing to poor health and well-being outcomes experienced by young rainbow people. Considering the persistent health and well-being disparities experienced by rainbow people and the influence of parent and caregiver response on their rainbow children, there is a need to better understand this nuanced group of parents and caregivers. This cross-sectional study replicated the work of Clark et al. (2022) who proposed that parents with rainbow children could be classified into three groups based on response to their rainbow child. It is unclear if the same classifications apply to Aotearoa New Zealand’s unique cultural context. Online survey responses from parents and caregivers (N = 140) living in Aotearoa New Zealand, with at least one rainbow identifying child under 30 years of age, was collected to clarify whether the same three classes exist. Descriptive statistics were run using SPSS. Latent profile analysis was run using tidyLPA and mclust in R Studio to identify parent and caregiver response classes, of which two were found: positive (n = 120, 85.71%) and mixed (n = 20, 14.29%). An examination of the differences between response class, demographics, time since and age at initial rainbow identity disclosure, caregiver attachment style, parenting style, religiosity and ethnic group acceptance were conducted using SPSS. Significant differences were detected between response classes based on participant gender identity, ethnicity, relationship to their rainbow child, parenting style, and religiosity. Results indicate that there is a distinct group of parents and caregivers in Aotearoa New Zealand who may benefit from additional support in addressing conflicting responses towards their rainbow child so that they can become a safer and more encouraging support for their rainbow child.
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LGTBQIA+, parenting, rainbow child, latent class analysis