Family planning for LGBTQ+ couples
Understanding multilevel predictors affecting family formation among sexual and gender minority couples
This project looks at how personal, couple, and state-level factors shape when and whether LGBTQ+ couples choose to have children.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Northwestern University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11367903 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This mixed-methods project follows LGBTQ+ couples over time to understand how things like age, race, finances, job security, and local laws affect their plans to become parents. The team will combine surveys and interviews with measures of state and local policies to capture both personal experiences and structural influences. They will also examine links between family formation plans and health factors such as alcohol use, mental health, and cardiovascular wellbeing. Findings are intended to show how policy and social conditions help or block LGBTQ+ people from freely planning parenthood.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are sexual and gender minority couples of parenting age who are considering, planning, or interested in having children.
Not a fit: People who are not in sexual or gender minority relationships or who are not interested in parenting are unlikely to directly benefit from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could identify barriers and supports that make parenting more accessible for LGBTQ+ couples and inform policies and services to reduce health disparities.
How similar studies have performed: Prior research shows structural stigma harms LGBTQ+ health, but applying mixed methods to understand its effects on family formation is a newer approach.
Where this research is happening
Chicago, United States
- Northwestern University — Chicago, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Veldhuis, Cindy B — Northwestern University
- Study coordinator: Veldhuis, Cindy B
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.