Abstract
Adolescent lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) romantic partners face the challenge of developing satisfactory relationships while managing stressors associated with being members of a stigmatized minority group due to their sexual minority status. The aims of this study were to explore and describe relationship dynamics among LGB adolescents that are in committed same-sex relationships in Portugal, to assess levels of satisfaction with their relationships, and to assess whether LGB oppression was associated with the likelihood of anticipating and experiencing problems within the relationship. A sample of 182 self-identified LGB adolescents (mean age = 17.89 years; SD = 1.99), completed an online survey consisting of various sociodemographic measures, a relationship dynamics questionnaire, a self-assessment of relationship satisfaction, and an adapted version of the Gay and Lesbian Oppressive Situations Inventory. Results show that participants were highly satisfied with their relationships, except those who were non-monogamous and less committed to their relationships. Participants showed moderate levels of LGB oppression situations, and, as demonstrated by the hierarchical multiple regression analysis, age (being older), having lower levels of commitment, and being exposed to higher levels of exclusion, rejection, and separation were strong predictors of lower levels of relationship satisfaction.
Highlights
Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual (LGB) individuals are often stigmatized as being a minority, with same-sex relationships not being supported or recognized in the same way by society as are heterosexual relationships [1,2], influencing how individuals satisfy their needs and goals of intimacy
Research has corroborated the existence of risks for LGB adolescents, both in cases where young people come out or in cases where they keep their sexual orientation hidden [10]
On the one hand, peer relationships play an important role in the lives of young people and adolescents, regardless of their sexual orientation, on the other hand LGB youth and adolescents have more serious general health outcomes and well-being issues when compared with their heterosexual peers [11,12,13]
Summary
Gay, and Bisexual (LGB) individuals are often stigmatized as being a minority, with same-sex relationships not being supported or recognized in the same way by society as are heterosexual relationships [1,2], influencing how individuals satisfy their needs and goals of intimacy. On the one hand, peer relationships play an important role in the lives of young people and adolescents, regardless of their sexual orientation, on the other hand LGB youth and adolescents have more serious general health outcomes and well-being issues when compared with their heterosexual peers [11,12,13]. In this sense, LGB young people are more likely to find mechanisms to protect against harassment and victimization [14,15], such as establishing significant relationships, since these strategies would allow them to moderate or minimize the impact of internalized homonegativity [15]
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