Differences in Life Satisfaction and Emotions by Romantic Coupling and Sexual Orientation

Abstract

Subjective well-being is defined using a triune model including positive affect, negative affect, and life satisfaction. These variables are positively related to romantic relationship satisfaction and influenced by demographic characteristics (i.e., sexual orientation and relationship status). However, research often neglects how the interaction of identifying as specific demographics (e.g., gay or lesbian, in a committed relationship) may lead to different experiences of subjective well-being. A sample of individuals ( N = 811) participated in this national, online survey that assessed relationship quality, life satisfaction, and positive/negative affect. A two-way multivariate analysis of variance revealed those in a committed romantic relationship, regardless of marital status, reported more life satisfaction and fewer negative mood symptoms demonstrating greater personal subjective well-being. When assessing differences by sexual orientation, gay men reported less life satisfaction than heterosexual individuals and lesbian women, regardless of relationship status. While these findings help clarify that being in a romantic relationship may influence life satisfaction and emotional demeanor, they also speak to the challenges gay men may face in our society.