A dyadic analysis of relationship satisfaction and depressive symptoms among same-sex couples.

Relationship satisfaction, affect, and stress were examined in 313 same-sex couples who had had civil unions in Vermont during the first year of this legislation. Similarity between partners on age and on positive/negative affectivity was related to relationship satisfaction whereas there was no association with similarity in income, education, and outness. Lesbian couples ( n = 199), compared to gay male couples, reported experiencing more stress related to family reaction to their sexuality, whereas gay male couples ( n = 114) reported more stress surrounding the issues of HIV/AIDS and violence/harassment than did lesbian couples. This study is the first to examine within-couple factors among same-sex couples with legalized relationships.

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Personal, Relational, and Contextual Resources and Relationship Satisfaction in Same-Sex Couples

The Family Journal ◽

10.1177/1066480710364501 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 18 (2) ◽

pp. 163-168 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Amber L. Pope ◽

Christine E. Murray ◽

A. Keith Mobley

Keyword(s):

Relationship Satisfaction ◽

Same Sex ◽

Same Sex Couples

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Relationship satisfaction, coping, and stress in same-sex couples with civil unions.

PsycEXTRA Dataset ◽

10.1037/e307662004-007 ◽

2003 ◽

Author(s):

Jelica Todosijevic ◽

Keyword(s):

Relationship Satisfaction ◽

Same Sex ◽

Civil Unions ◽

Same Sex Couples

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Love exchange and relationship satisfaction among same-sex couples: an actor-partner interdependence model

Psychology and Sexuality ◽

10.1080/19419899.2021.1935308 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Nina Brkić-Jovanović ◽

Milica Lazić ◽

Ivan Jerković ◽

Tatjana Krstić ◽

Jelena Srdanović Maraš

Keyword(s):

Relationship Satisfaction ◽

Same Sex ◽

Same Sex Couples ◽

Actor Partner Interdependence Model

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The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on same-sex couples’ conflict avoidance, relational quality, and mental health

Journal of Social and Personal Relationships ◽

10.1177/02654075211006199 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 026540752110061

Author(s):

Yachao Li ◽

Jennifer A. Samp

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Relationship Satisfaction ◽

Internalized Homophobia ◽

Well Being ◽

Conflict Avoidance ◽

Same Sex ◽

Negative Effects ◽

Same Sex Couples ◽

Mediational Role ◽

The Impact

The COVID-19 pandemic has seriously impacted the management and trajectory of same-sex relationships. This study considered the mediational role of same-sex partners’ conflict avoidance and the moderating roles of individual and contextual vulnerability factors in the face of the pandemic. Results showed that greater adverse daily life impacts and higher perceived threat of COVID-19 predicted more complaint avoidance, which in turn predicted lower relationship satisfaction and higher anxiety, depression, and substance use. Being a person of color and having higher internalized homophobia exacerbated the pandemic’s negative effects on relationship satisfaction. While moving in with partners during the pandemic was related to more complaint avoidance, lower relational satisfaction, higher relationship termination intentions, and greater mental health risks, it also buffered the negative effects of the pandemic on relational well-being. Same-sex couples are encouraged to constructively solve relational issues and actively discuss moving in decisions. More efforts should be devoted to understanding multiple pandemic-related stressors facing same-sex couples.

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