Same-sex Romantic Relationships Research Articles

Dating and friendships in adolescence: Variation across same-sex and other-sex romantic partners.

This research examined associations between dating and number of friends for rural adolescents with same-sex and other-sex dating partners using longitudinal sociometric data (N = 2826; 55% female, 87% White, mean age = 14 at baseline). In multilevel models assessing within-person change, boys gained female friends when they were in same-sex romantic relationships, compared to when they were single. In contrast, girls in same-sex relationships lost female friends and gained male friends. Adolescents in other-sex romantic relationships gained same-sex friends compared to when they were single. Results advance understanding of adolescent social and sexual development, suggesting that sexual minority adolescents find allies when dating but may struggle to maintain same-sex friendships.

“Breaking Up Can Be So Hard to Do”: Communication Strategies to Disengage from Male Same-Sex Romantic Relationships between Thais and Non-Thais

Intimate relationships among male same-sex have been accepted and more received significant attention recently, Resulting in emerging of them from the shadows of society. However, unfortunately, these relationships frequently end in breakups. As a result, this study was aimed to (1) examine the communicative strategies used to disengage from male same-sex relationships, (2) explore the elements contributing to the choice of breakup tactics, and (3) investigate the effects of the disengagement strategies on the post-breakup relationship status. Interviews were used to elicit the participants’ previous relationships. Five male participants who dated a male were selected using the purposive sampling method, and semi-structured interviews were conducted to obtain the data. The adaptation of Baxter’s disengagement tactics served as the framework to describe the communication styles of Thai disengagers during the breakdown of the relationship with non-Thai partners. The findings revealed that the degree of intimacy and the culture of the disengagers influenced the selection of disengagement tactics. Moreover, the length of the relationship and the usage of breakup strategies were found to determine the post-breakup relationship status. As for the implications, the study may enable individuals to select the most appropriate strategies if a breakup is necessary.

Dyadic effects of minority stress and problematic alcohol use on sexual intimate partner violence in same sex couples.

Little is known about the factors that facilitate the perpetration of sexual violence within the context of same-sex romantic relationships (sexual intimate partner violence perpetration [S-IPV]). The present study sought to identify the effects of external and internal minority stress and problematic drinking on perpetration of S-IPV within a dyadic framework. A community-based sample of 137 sexual and gender minority (SGM) couples (N = 274; 59 male assigned at birth and 78 female assigned at birth couples) completed self-report surveys about minority stressors, alcohol use, and S-IPV perpetration. Multilevel logistic regression analyses were conducted within an actor-partner interdependence framework. This approach accounted for both actor effects (e.g., how much one's S-IPV perpetration is predicted by their own risk factors) and partner effects (e.g., how much one's S-IPV perpetration is influenced by their partner's risk factors). Both Actor external minority stress and internal minority stress were positively associated with Actor S-IPV perpetration. Actor problematic drinking was not associated with Actor S-IPV perpetration; however, Partner problematic drinking was positively associated with Actor S-IPV perpetration. Observed effects were robust above the addition of other risk factors. This research innovatively extricates S-IPV perpetration from other forms of IPV and indicates that Actor minority stress and Partner problematic drinking increase S-IPV likelihood. Results serve as a starting point for development of etiological models to inform the design of culturally-informed interventions to reduce S-IPV among SGM couples.

Same but Different? Comparing Attitudes Regarding Gender, Gender Diversity, and Sexual Diversity Among Early Adolescents in South Africa and Belgium

PurposeThis study aims to compare low socioeconomic status, urban early adolescents’ (EAs) attitudes toward gender, gender diversity and sexual diversity in two contexts with similar progressive legal frameworks for gender equality and nondiscrimination, South Africa and Belgium, to understand the ways in which adolescents modify or conform to prevailing attitudes. MethodsThe study used a cross-sectional design and sampled 1,102 and 569 EAs (between 11 and 15 years old) in Belgium and South Africa respectively. Quantitative data were collected using tablets. Sample characteristics and gender attitude scales are described and compared in the two countries, and between boys and girls within each country. Comparisons are conducted on the mean score for the 5-point Likert scale items on the gender attitude scales. ResultsGirls in both countries expressed more tolerant attitudes toward same-sex romantic relationships and experienced more gender diverse emotional attraction and physical attraction to same-sex individuals than boys. Generally, boys endorsed more heteronormative relationship norms and other stereotypical attitudes than girls. Conversely, girls tended to embrace sexual double standards more than boys. South African EAs exhibited more sexual diversity but less tolerant attitudes toward gender and gender diversity. Belgian EAs, especially girls, tended to exhibit more tolerant attitudes toward diversity in gender identity. DiscussionThere were important differences in attitudes toward gender, gender diversity, and sexual diversity among EAs, despite the countries’ similar progressive legislative frameworks. In the future, sociocultural and other determinants of EAs’ attitudes should be further explored at different levels from the individual to the societal.

Cigarette taxes and smoking among sexual minority adults

We provide the first quasi-experimental evidence on the relationship between cigarette taxes and smoking among sexual minority adults, a group that has been understudied in past research. We use large samples of individuals in same-sex households (a large share of whom are sexual minorities in same-sex romantic relationships) from the 1996–2018 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. We find that cigarette taxes significantly reduced smoking among men and women in same-sex households, and the effects we find for men in same-sex households are very robust and significantly larger than the associated effects for men in different-sex households (the vast majority of whom are heterosexual married or partnered men). For men in same-sex households, we find no unintended consequences of higher cigarette taxes on other risky behaviors, and in fact we find that cigarette taxes are associated with significant improvements in self-rated health for men in same-sex households. These results suggest that the sizable disparities in adult smoking rates between heterosexual and sexual minority men would have been even larger in the absence of stricter tobacco control policy. However, in line with previous research indicating that cigarette taxes have ‘lost their bite’, we find no significant relationship between cigarette taxes and sexual minority smoking in more recent years.

Sexual minorities, mental health, and religiosity at a religiously conservative university

With increasing mental health concerns on college campuses and the complex developmental tasks of young adulthood, sexual minority students may be at particular risk for negative mental health and well-being outcomes. This risk may be compounded at highly religious universities that are not affirming of same-sex romantic relationships. The current study examined religiosity, mental health outcomes, and sexual minority identity at a highly religious university using structural equation modeling. All undergraduates were invited to participate, and 7625 students participated, with 996 students indicating a sexual orientation other than “strictly heterosexual.” We found that sexual minority students had significantly worse mental health outcomes and well-being than their heterosexual peers. We also found that religiosity acted as a protective factor for both the sexual minority and the heterosexual group, although the effect was weaker for the sexual minority group. Finally, we found that for sexual minority students, concerns around being accepted by others was the greatest predictor of lower quality of life and higher suicidality, depression, generalized anxiety, social anxiety, and academic distress. We discuss potential strategies to mitigate acceptance concerns for sexual minority students on college campuses.

Queering Romantic Engagement in the Postal Age: A Rhetorical Education

Queering Romantic Engagement in the Postal Age: A Rhetorical Education

Script variation as audience design: Imagining readership and community in Japanese yuri comics

AbstractBuilding on recent work supporting a sociolinguistic approach to orthographic choice, this study engages with paratextual language use in yuri, a subgenre of Japanese shōjo manga ‘girls’ comics’ that centers on same-sex romantic and/or erotic relationships between female characters. The comic magazine Comic Yuri Hime has been the dominant, if not only, yuri-oriented published magazine in Japan since its inception in 2005. Though both written and consumed by a primarily female audience, the magazine has undergone numerous attempts to rebrand and refocus the target audience as a means to broaden the magazine's readership. This change in target demographic is reflected in the stylistic representation of paratextual occurrences of the second-person pronoun anata, indicating the role of the textual landscape in reflecting, and reifying, an imagined target audience. (Script variation, manga, popular media, Japan, yuri manga)

The Impact of Minority Stress and Social Support on Positive Relationship Functioning in Same-Sex Relationships

ABSTRACT The Institute of Medicine has called for an increase in efforts to investigate the understudied area of LGBTQ health and relationships. This study furthers the research by illuminating social support predictors of positive relationship functioning and resilience from a large national sample of those in same-sex relationships (N = 1,303) who continue to face minority stigma and stress in society. Primary findings underscore the centrality of partner social support and the importance of combating depression in sustaining positive relationship outcomes (commitment, satisfaction, closeness, and couple resilience) in same-sex romantic relationships. Findings also may point to increasing social legitimacy of same-sex couples and less reliance on LGBTQ-specific social supportive environments. Future research is needed to further explore the personal and relational health of same-sex couples.

What would you know about it? Managing ingroup vs. outgroup perceived support of same-sex vs. mixed-sex romantic relationships

Social support for relationships is an important predictor of relationship well-being, duration, and mental and physical health. But does the source of the support matter? This article examines whether there is potential moderation by the ingroup versus outgroup status of the person offering the support. Specifically, in a sample of 407 individuals in mixed-sex versus same-sex relationships, we assessed how much social support individuals perceived for their relationship from members of their social network who were queer versus straight. Those in same-sex relationships had significantly more queer members within their social networks than those in mixed-sex relationships (38.6% vs. 8.1%). We found that although those in both types of relationships perceived more support for their relationships from ingroup network members, only those in mixed-sex relationships demonstrated a stronger association between ingroup (straight) support and relationship well-being. Those in same-sex relationships showed relatively weak associations between network members’ support for the relationship and their relationship well-being, regardless of source. Results are interpreted in light of the social identity perspective, and we also discuss the potential for attributional ambiguity and discounting of others’ opinions about their relationships within the context of same-sex relationships.

Internalized Homophobia, Language Use, and Relationship Quality in Same-sex Romantic Relationships

Internalized homophobia has adverse relational consequences for same-sex couples. This study highlights language use as a mechanism underlying the association between internalized homophobia and relationship quality. Internalized homophobia is predicted to be negatively associated with language use features, including clout, authenticity, and emotional tone, which are positively related to relationship satisfaction and length. Participants’ (N = 166) written responses to the content of a couple’s discussion about relationship disclosure were analyzed to assess language use variables. Mediation analyses indicated that clout and emotional tone mediated the negative relationship between internalized homophobia and relationship satisfaction. Authenticity mediated the inverse relationship between internalized homophobia and relationship length. The results have implications for understanding and alleviating minority stress in same-sex couples.

Minority Stress and Same-Sex Relationship Satisfaction: The Role of Concealment Motivation.

Most lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) people want a stable, satisfying romantic relationship. Although many of the predictors of relationship outcomes are similar to those of heterosexual couples, same-sex couples face some additional challenges associated with minority stress that also impact upon relationship quality. Here, we investigate the association between minority stressors and relationship quality in a sample of 363 adults (M age=30.37, SD=10.78) currently in a same-sex romantic relationship. Internalized homophobia and difficulties accepting one's LGB identity were each negatively associated with relationship satisfaction via heightened concealment motivation. We also examined the protective role of identity affirmation on relationship quality, finding a direct positive relationship between the two variables. Minority stressors were negatively associated with couple relationship satisfaction via heightened concealment motivation. The finding that identity affirmation directly predicted increased couple satisfaction also highlights the important role of protective factors in same-sex couple relationships.

Parent Attachment, Relationship Quality, and Gender Influence of Adults With Parents With Past Same-Sex Relationships

Attachment scholars have focused on attachment outcomes between children and their parents. However, there is a dearth of studies examining the association between attachment and later romantic relationships for those who have had a parent in a same-sex relationship during childhood. To address this gap, we used a sample from the New Family Structures Study. The sample for this study comprised 248 adults, of which, 175 participants reported their mother having had a same-sex romantic relationship and 73 participants reported their father having had a same-sex romantic relationship. Regression analysis indicated that participants with mothers who have had same-sex relationships report higher attachment outcomes. Further, higher attachment outcomes predicted higher romantic relationship quality. Gender of the participants and their parents also statistically moderated romantic relationship quality and family-of-origin attachment for females with mothers who have had same-sex relationships. Limitations and future directions are discussed.

Children's Judgments and Reasoning About Same-Sex Romantic Relationships.

Children's (5-, 7- to 8-, and 10- to 11-year-olds), and adolescents' (13- to 14-year-olds) judgments and reasoning about same-sex romantic relationships were examined (N=128). Participants' beliefs about the acceptability and legal regulation of these relationships were assessed, along with their judgments and beliefs about excluding someone because of his or her sexual orientation and the origins of same-sex attraction. Older participants evaluated same-sex romantic relationships more positively and used more references to personal choice and justice/discrimination reasoning to support their judgments. Younger participants were less critical of a law prohibiting same-sex relationships and were more likely to believe it was not acceptable to violate this law. Beliefs about origins of same-sex attraction showed age-specific patterns in their associations with evaluations.

Suicide Ideation and Suicide Attempt Among Young Lesbian and Bisexual Filipina Women

Using archival data from a national survey of N=8,891 young Filipina women ages 15 to 24, this paper aimed to examine links between sexual-minority status and thinking about and attempting suicide. Similar to previous results from young Filipino men and to findings in the global LGBT mental health literature, sexual-minority status was associated with both suicide ideation and suicide attempt across measures of same-sex attraction and same-sex romantic relationships. Sexual-minority Filipina youth had higher odds of having thought about suicide and having attempted suicide, compared to heterosexual peers. Following a minority stress framework, this paper explored a number of correlates of suicide ideation and attempt, including normative risk factors such as depression, recent suicide attempt of a friend, and experiences of threat and victimization.

Barriers to Help Seeking for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer Survivors of Intimate Partner Violence

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a pervasive and devastating social problem that is estimated to occur in one of every four opposite-sex relationships and at least one of every five same-sex romantic relationships. These estimates may not represent violence against those who identify as transgender or genderqueer, and very little comprehensive research has been conducted on IPV within these populations. One statewide study on IPV found rates of IPV were as high as one of every two transgender individuals. In order to cope with the effects of abuse or leave an abusive partner, many lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and genderqueer (LGBTQ) IPV survivors seek support from others. However, LGBTQ IPV survivors may experience unique difficulties related to their sexual orientation and gender identity when seeking assistance. This article reviews the literature on LGBTQ IPV and suggests three major barriers to help-seeking exist for LGBTQ IPV survivors: a limited understanding of the problem of LGBTQ IPV, stigma, and systemic inequities. The significance and consequences of each barrier are discussed, and suggestions for future research, policy, and practice are provided.

“Friend and Lover”: The Erotics of Female Friendship in Christiansë's <em>Unconfessed</em> and Ntshingila's <em>Shameless</em>

Central to both Yvette Christianse’s Unconfessed (2006) and Futhi Ntshingila’s Shameless (2008) is an intimate female friendship. The depth of these intimacies is signaled by the fact that these relationships take precedence in the women’s lives over their relationships with men, which are often less than fulfilling. There is physical contact and appreciation of beauty between female friends; the relationships are frequently equated to romantic or sexual partnerships, but the language of kinship is also used to express the depth of the bond. These friendships have an erotic quality that blurs their distinction from same-sex romantic relationships. Critics such as Lillian Faderman and Adrienne Rich have argued for an expansion of the definition of “lesbian” to include female friendships for anti-patriarchal reasons. Christianse and Ntshingila’s representation of highly intimate connections between women thus speaks to a resistance to both masculine domination and a phallocentric approach to human relationships.

Measurement, methods, and divergent patterns: Reassessing the effects of same-sex parents

Scholars have noted that survey analysis of small subsamples—for example, same-sex parent families—is sensitive to researchers’ analytical decisions, and even small differences in coding can profoundly shape empirical patterns. As an illustration, we reassess the findings of a recent article by Regnerus regarding the implications of being raised by gay and lesbian parents. Taking a close look at the New Family Structures Study (NFSS), we demonstrate the potential for misclassifying a non-negligible number of respondents as having been raised by parents who had a same-sex romantic relationship. We assess the implications of these possible misclassifications, along with other methodological considerations, by reanalyzing the NFSS in seven steps. The reanalysis offers evidence that the empirical patterns showcased in the original Regnerus article are fragile—so fragile that they appear largely a function of these possible misclassifications and other methodological choices. Our replication and reanalysis of Regnerus’s study offer a cautionary illustration of the importance of double checking and critically assessing the implications of measurement and other methodological decisions in our and others’ research.

Sexual orientation identity change and depressive symptoms: a longitudinal analysis.

Several new studies have documented high rates of sexual identity mobility among young adults, but little work has investigated the links between identity change and mental health. This study uses the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (N = 11,727) and employs multivariate regression and propensity score matching to investigate the impact of identity change on depressive symptoms. The results reveal that only changes in sexual identity toward more same-sex-oriented identities are associated with increases in depressive symptoms. Moreover, the negative impacts of identity change are concentrated among individuals who at baseline identified as heterosexual or had not reported same-sex romantic attraction or relationships. No differences in depressive symptoms by sexual orientation identity were found among respondents who reported stable identities. Future research should continue to investigate the factors that contribute to the relationship between identity change and depression, such as stigma surrounding sexual fluidity.

Relationship stigma and relationship outcomes in interracial and same-sex relationships: Examination of sources and buffers.

Interracial and same-sex romantic relationships are more common and socially accepted in the United States than ever before; yet, stigmatization of these relationships persists, with consequences for relationship dynamics. We conducted an online survey study with adults living in the United States in interracial and same-sex relationships to examine associations of relationship stigma from family, friends, and public with several relationship outcomes (i.e., investment, satisfaction, intimate partner aggression victimization and perpetration, commitment, intimacy, trust, passion, love, sexual communication, and sexual satisfaction), as well as the potential buffering roles of egalitarianism and dyadic coping. Regression analyses with 480 participants support that above and beyond individually experienced discrimination and other well-known predictors of relationship outcomes, relationship stigma from friends in particular was associated with lower relationship commitment, trust, love, and sexual communication, as well as greater odds of intimate partner aggression victimization. Egalitarianism and dyadic coping moderated some of the associations of relationship stigma from family, friends, and public with relationship outcomes, supporting their potential roles as buffers. These findings suggest many avenues for future research and implications for clinicians working with interracial and same-sex couples, individuals in those couples, and their families. Given increasing prevalence of interracial and same-sex relationships and marriages, more work should continue to explore these couples' experiences and how best to support them.