Relationship Quality and Sexuality: A Latent Profile Analysis of Long-term Heterosexual and LGB Long-term Partnerships

Jill M Chonody,Mike Killian,Jacqui Gabb,Priscilla Dunk-West

doi:10.1080/26408066.2020.1723769

Abstract

ABSTRACTPurpose: Drawing on survey data (N = 7,826) collected in the United Kingdom, Australia, and the United States, this paper examines whether sexual orientation is a differentiating factor in explaining relationship quality and maintenance. Previous research suggests that sexual orientation is not significant in determining relationship satisfaction; however, these analyses have used traditional variable driven approaches, which do not provide an holistic view of the relationship by considering the unique combination of characteristics.Method: In this study, latent profile analyses were used, which is a person-centered approach that allows for identification of different types of long-term relationships.Results: Data suggested that LGB individuals had marginally higher levels of relationship quality compared to their heterosexual counterparts, and sexual orientation was also associated with differing types of long-term relationships.Discussion: These findings are interrogated in more detail, in particular, how sexual orientation is associated with types of long-term relationships and how everyday practices are associated with relationship quality.

Highlights

Over the past 20 years, intimacy, personal life, and family relationships have been the focus of critical and contested examination
Sexual identity is an important consideration in assessing relationship quality (Heaphy, Smart, & Einarsdottir, 2013; Weeks, Heaphy, & Donovan, 2001), same-sex relationship satisfaction remains underrepresented in research
Data from the Australian 2011 Census indicated that female same-sex couples are nearly twice more likely than heterosexual couples to engage in equal unpaid domestic labor (ABS, 2013)

Summary

Introduction

Over the past 20 years, intimacy, personal life, and family relationships have been the focus of critical and contested examination. Whilst differences between LGB and heterosexual couples should not be overstated, and there are many similarities between these groups, HILDA survey data show that LGB couples tend to be slightly less happy with their relationships and indicate that their relationship does not meet their original expectations (Wilkins, 2015) The latter point may, indicate either unrealistically high expectations that are hard to achieve and/or that heterosexual partners, especially women, put up with poor relationship quality because they perceive gender inequalities to be the norm, for example

Methods

Results

Conclusion