Minority stress and relationship functioning among young male same-sex couples: An examination of actor-partner interdependence models

Characterizing Life Stress Exposure Among Sexual Minority Adolescents: Temporality, Content, And Mediating Role in Mental Health Disparities

Though sexual minority adolescents face a wide array of deleterious stressors, few studies have examined the role of specific types of stress exposure (i.e., chronic vs. episodic, interpersonal vs. non-interpersonal) on mental health disparities. This study utilizes a contextual threat-based assessment to (a) compare levels of stress exposure types between sexual minority and non-sexual minority adolescents, and (b) examine stress type as a mediator between sexual orientation and two outcomes: depressive symptoms and emotion dysregulation. Data comes from a longitudinal sample (14-17 years-old, N = 241; 17.6% sexual minority; 54% assigned female at birth; 73.9% White), with two time-points (T1 and T2) utilized. Sexual minority adolescents reported higher chronic interpersonal stress, but no differences in non-interpersonal chronic or episodic stress, relative to non-sexual minority adolescents. Chronic interpersonal stress exposure mediated the link between membership in an oppressed group (i.e., sexual minority teens) and the primary outcomes (emotion dysregulation and depressive symptoms) at both T1 and T2. Findings demonstrate the utility of contextual threat-based assessments within sexual minority research.

Feeling loved in mixed-gender adolescent romantic relationships in the face of daily stress and support: A dyadic diary study

A profound developmental experience is the emergence of adolescent romantic relationships and first feelings of love. However, the daily nature of feeling loved in adolescents' everyday lives is poorly understood. We investigated how daily stress severity was associated with adolescents' levels of feeling loved and whether romantic partner support moderated these associations. Furthermore, we investigated this for non-interpersonal and interpersonal stressors. N = 97 mixed-gender adolescent romantic couples (age M = 16.38, SD = 1.02) from an ethnically diverse sample (42.2% Hispanic/Latino/a/x, 44.7% White) participated in dyadic diary assessments twice a week for 12 consecutive weeks. Both partners independently completed open-ended questions about a daily stressor, indicating stress severity, perceived partner support, and feeling loved. Daily stressors were coded for non-interpersonal and various types of interpersonal stressors. Results from the dyadic multilevel model showed that days with lower than average support from a romantic partner amplify the adverse effects of stress severity on feeling loved, especially when the partner is involved in the stressor. We discuss the spillover of stress in romantic relationships and the stress-buffering functions of adolescent romantic partner support. Adolescent romantic partners are potentially essential regulators of stress, increasing adolescents' feelings of love. RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS: Romantic love is central in adolescents' lives; we showed that adolescents generally feel loved by romantic partners. Feeling loved fluctuates daily as adolescents feel less loved on stressful days. However, when adolescents perceive their partner as supportive, there is no association between stress and feeling loved. Partner support is protective for feeling loved. The current study provides essential insights into when adolescents and why adolescents feel loved.

Sexual Minority Mothers: A Dyadic Exploration of Stigma, Identity, Support, and Parental Wellbeing

For all couples, regardless of sexual orientation, transition to parenthood often increases stress, although, according to minority stress theory (MST), same-sex couples often experience additional stressors specifically related to their sexual orientation. In this study of 34 same-sex female couples (68 sexual minority mothers) who conceived their children with the use of sperm donation, we explored the intrapersonal and interpersonal influences of sexuality-related stigma, sexual identity, sexuality disclosure ("outness"), and social support on the wellbeing of each partner among these couples. We found support for MST, although the process worked differently based on the mother's role. Among the pregnant (gestational) mothers, personal experiences of sexuality related stigma, social support, and sexual identity disclosure were all associated with their individual wellbeing. In contrast, among the non-pregnant (non-gestational) mothers, these associations were more interpersonal in nature. Specifically, the non-gestational mothers' wellbeing was unrelated to their personal experiences of sexuality stigma but was associated with their partner's (the gestational mother's) reports of sexual identity centrality and affirmation and support from friends. In all, we found support for MST, such that greater sexuality stigma was associated with poorer wellbeing, but this relationship functioned differently depending on the mother's role.

Dyadic Moderators of the Minority Stress-HIV Risk Association in Male Couples

Minority stressors have been linked to HIV risk behaviors among gay, bisexual, queer, and other men who have sex with men (MSM). Committed partnerships are a key context for new HIV infections and coping with minority stress among MSM, but very little work has tested the minority stress-HIV risk link among male couples, and little is known about how processes within one's relationship may exacerbate or buffer this association. The present study examined links between minority stress (i.e., internalized stigma, microaggressions) and HIV transmission risk behaviors (i.e., condomless anal sex with outside partners, breaks in relationship agreements) among male couples, as well as relationship-based moderators (i.e., social support, dyadic coping) of these associations. An analytic sample of male couples from a large cohort study (analytic N = 410 individuals, 205 dyads) completed self-report measures of minority stress, relationship-based moderators, and HIV transmission risk behaviors which were submitted to moderated actor-partner interdependence models (APIMs). In many cases, coping with stress with one's partner buffered the minority stress-HIV transmission link risk. However, findings also suggested situations in which partners may overburden one another with coping, thus exacerbating HIV-related risk behaviors.

Experiences of Successful PrEP Uptake Among Adolescent Sexual Minority Men in the United States: A Qualitative Exploration

Male adolescent sexual minorities are at elevated risk of HIV acquisition yet demonstrate low rates of PrEP uptake. Understanding the experiences of adolescents who have successfully accessed PrEP may inform ways to best support adolescents seeking PrEP. Adolescent sexual minorities (N = 100) who reported utilizing PrEP responded to open-ended items asking about their initial PrEP experiences and advice for others. Qualitative analysis suggested that adolescents' ability to access PrEP is influenced by managing parental involvement and seeking culturally competent health care providers. Additionally, they reported how the benefits and drawbacks of taking PrEP played a role in their PrEP use. Findings suggest that educational PrEP interventions targeted at this population could improve uptake by incorporating discussions on side effects and mental health benefits associated with PrEP use. Structural interventions are warranted that improve adolescents' ability to seek sexual health care independently and make room for parental involvement when adolescents could benefit from their support.

Emerging Adult LGB+ Romantic Relationships: Narratives about Met and Unmet Relationship Needs

Although emerging adulthood is recognized as a pivotal time for relationship development, most studies concern heterosexual youth or older sexual minority partners. Using narratives from 40 college student emerging adults, we sought to understand the particularities and generalities of lesbian, gay, bisexual and other sexual minority (LGB+) relationship experiences. Positive experiences particular to being in a LGB+ relationship concerned partner support for coming and being out; support from family members for the relationship was rarely mentioned. Negative experiences were twice as likely to be mentioned as positive ones. They concerned how partners being at different levels of outness and problems with family support stressed the relationship. Generalities pertaining to positive relationship factors included meeting needs for support and using perspective taking to deal with conflict. Negative factors included unmet needs for companionship and intimacy and breakup anxiety about whether the relationship had a future. Our findings suggest the importance of developing strength-based LGB+ affirmative education for emerging adults to promote core relationship processes and strengthen skills to cope with stressors specific to sexual minority romantic partnerships.

Microaggressions Toward Sexual and Gender Minority Emerging Adults: An Updated Systematic Review of Psychological Correlates and Outcomes and the Role of Intersectionality

Purpose: Quantitative data on the psychological effects of microaggressions toward sexual and gender minority individuals have grown substantially. Sexual orientation-based and transgender and gender-diverse (trans+) identity-based microaggressions have been thematically identified in prior research. In addition, combined lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and gender-diverse, queer/questioning, and other non-heterosexual (LGBTQ) microaggressions can be examined intersectionally with other marginalized identities. This systematic review synthesizes research on the relationships among these microaggressions and psychological correlates and outcomes. Methods: Forty-five quantitative studies examining sexual orientation-, trans+ identity-, or intersectional identity-based microaggressions and various psychological outcomes were identified from systematic searches of PsycINFO, PsycARTICLES, MEDLINE, and PubMed databases. Data regarding microaggressions were extracted, synthesized, and grouped by mental health outcome or correlate. Results: Sexual orientation-based microaggressions were risk factors for depression, anxiety, and internalized stigma and were positively associated with psychological distress, traumatic stress symptoms, alcohol use and abuse, cannabis use and problems, suicidal ideation, and suicide attempt. Trans+ identity-based microaggressions were positively associated with depression, suicide attempt, and cannabis use. LGBTQ intersectional identity-based microaggressions concerning race/ethnicity were associated with depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation. Research on other intersectional identity-based microaggressions is scarce. Conclusion: These findings emphasize the psychological harm inflicted by various microaggressions on LGBTQ late adolescents and early adults. Future work should focus on microaggressions toward individuals with trans+ and intersectional identities and protective factors for these experiences. This review also highlights the distinct need for community-based research on implementing microintervention strategies in family, school, and work environments to mitigate the harmful effects of these microaggressions.

Discrimination Against Muslims in the USA and Couple Interactions: An Actor-Partner Interdependence Model

Muslims in the USA experience unfair treatment and direct exposure to discriminatory acts because of their religion. Trauma stemming from discrimination can strengthen couples' relationships as they find solace in each other, or strain relationships if couples struggle to cope with the stress. This study examined the relationship between experiencing anti-Muslim hate and couples' interactional quality. Further, the role of open communication between partners in moderating the impact of anti-Muslim hate on couple interactions was examined. The study included a sample of 129 Muslim couples. The results indicated gender disparity whereby anti-Muslim hate was linked to negative interactions in relationships for Muslim women, but this was not true for their male partners. In addition, open communication had contracting gender effects on the relationship between anti-Muslim hate and couple interactions. Increased self-disclosure buffered the adverse effects of anti-Muslim hate by reducing the likelihood of negative interactions. Among women, increased self-disclosure exacerbated the detrimental effects of anti-Muslim hate on the couples' relationship such that couples engaged in more negative interactions. Clinical implications are discussed.

Longitudinal associations of relationship support and strain and internalized homophobia with mental health among middle-aged and older gay and bisexual men

Objectives: Mental health concerns (e.g. depression, anxiety) that negatively impact gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM) persist over the life course and into old age, but less is known about potential contributors to GBMSM's mental health. Close relationships can be a source of risk or resilience from stress, exerting direct relationships on mental health, and may mediate well-established associations between minority stress and mental health. This study examined whether primary partner relationship support and strain were uniquely associated with, and mediated the association between internalized homophobia, and mental health among older GBMSM.Methods: GBMSM (N = 517, M age = 60) from the Multicenter AIDS Cohort Study, who were in primary relationships with men, provided self-report data at four timepoints. We used multilevel modeling to examine longitudinal associations among relationship support and strain and internalized homophobia with depression and anxiety.Results: Relationship strain, but not support, was positively associated with mental health concerns longitudinally. There was a significant, positive indirect effect of internalized homophobia on depression and anxiety through strain, but no support. Internalized homophobia was positively associated with relationship strain, which was positively associated with mental health symptoms longitudinally.Conclusions: Relationship strain was associated with depression and anxiety longitudinally among middle-aged and older GBMSM and mediated associations of internalized homophobia with mental health. The role of partner support warrants further investigation. Mental health interventions are critically needed for older GBMSM and, for partnered GBMSM, should include strategies for reducing relationship strain to foster well-being.

Substance Use and Relationship Functioning Among Young Male Couples

Research shows that, for different sex couples, individual levels of substance use are deleterious for relationship quality (e.g., satisfaction, intimate partner aggression), whereas dyadic concordance is usually protective. However, there has been no research on these effects among male couples, even though they show increased risk for substance use and certain indices of relationship distress (e.g., intimate partner aggression) compared to different sex couples. Male partners also display distinct similarity patterns and norms surrounding substance use, suggesting that there might be unique effects of substance use on relationship quality among this population. We conducted actor-partner interdependence models of substance use on relationship quality (intimate partner aggression, satisfaction) among a large sample of male dyads (N = 934 individuals, N = 467 dyads). Results suggested that there are novel actor, partner, and similarity effects that imply unique pathways to relationship well-being for male couples. These results are discussed in light of future clinical and empirical efforts. [NCT03186534 - 6/12/2017; NCT03284541 - 6/23/2017].

Victimization and Perception of Abuse in Adolescent and Young Homosexual and Heterosexual Couples in Spain

Currently, violence in adolescent and young couples has a significant social impact on young people's physical and psychological health. However, the study of violence in homosexual couples must also be addressed. This research analyzes the levels of violent victimization and the perception of abuse in both homosexual and heterosexual couples. Participants' ages ranged between 14 and 29 years (M = 20.14, SD = 3.464). We used The Dating Violence Questionnaire-Revised (CUIVNO-R), which was applied in two consecutive studies. The results indicate high levels of victimization, especially in the sample of homosexual participants. The scores generally show a low perception of couple violence but high victimization rates. The results of this study reveal the importance of the issue of violence in couples from minority groups and suggest that couple violence should not be understood as unidirectional, i.e., exclusively from men to women. These findings show the need for education in healthy relationships and consideration of different types of couples in these relationships.

The Sexual Orientation Microaggression Inventory Short Form (SOMI-SF): Validation in Three Samples of Racially/Ethnically Diverse Sexual Minority Youth

Introduction

The Sexual Orientation Microaggression Inventory (SOMI) has been used to measure sexual orientation-based microaggression experiences. However, at 19 items, the SOMI may be difficult to fit into survey batteries where microaggressions are not the primary predictor or the time researchers have with each participant is very limited.

Methods

We sought to identify an eight-item short form of the SOMI (SOMI-SF) in a sample of sexual minority (SM) youth (N = 879) and confirm the validity and reliability of the SOMI-SF by administering both versions to separate cohorts of male-assigned (N = 533) and female-assigned (N = 430) at birth SM youth. Data was collected from April 2018 to May 2020.

Results

We found high reliability (α > 0.80) and validity (significant association with SM victimization, depression symptoms, anxiety symptoms, and internalized stigma) in all three samples for the SOMI-SF.

Conclusions

For researchers looking to conserve time and limit burden, the SOMI-SF is a high quality option for measuring sexual orientation microaggressions.

Policy Implications

The greater ease of administering the SOMI-SF means that sexual orientation microaggressions can be measured in a greater number of contexts. With a growing literature linking these experiences to poorer health outcomes for SM populations, measuring these experiences quickly and accurately can improve our understanding of the mechanisms creating those links and impact policy necessary to alleviate them.

Internalized homonegativity moderates the association between attachment avoidance and emotional intimacy among same-sex male couples

Introduction

The present study aimed to examine dyadic associations between attachment insecurity and emotional intimacy in same-sex male couples, and to investigate whether and how each partner’s internalized homonegativity (IH) moderated these associations.

Methods

The sample included 138 same-sex male couples. Both dyad members completed self-report measures of attachment insecurity, emotional intimacy, and IH. The actor-partner interdependence model with moderation analysis was applied.

Results

Indicated that higher levels of actor’s and partner’s attachment anxiety and attachment avoidance were associated with lower actor’s emotional intimacy. IH moderated the partner effects of attachment avoidance on emotional intimacy. The partner’s higher attachment avoidance was associated with one’s own lower emotional intimacy at low (but not high) levels of one’s own IH and at high (but not low) levels of the partner’s IH.

Discussion

Findings suggest that the partner’s attachment avoidance may differently affect one’s own emotional intimacy depending on the IH levels of both dyad members. Helping partnered sexual minority men decrease attachment insecurity while recognizing their own and their partners’ IH may promote relationship quality.

Partner Gender and Binegativity Uniquely Impact Relationship Quality among Bisexual Men

Romantic relationships both buffer and exacerbate adverse health outcomes among bisexual individuals, so understanding determinants of their functioning may be key to correcting health inequities affecting this population. Binegativity (i.e., prejudiced attitudes about bisexuality) expressed from one's intimate partner has the potential to be uniquely impactful for bisexuals, but it is presently unknown how this experience might impact the quality (and therefore potential health promotive effects) of their romantic relationships. In addition, gender of one's current romantic partner may shape experiences of binegativity and relationship quality in important ways. The purpose of this report was to examine how binegativity from intimate partners impacts relationship functioning (i.e., relationship satisfaction and intimate partner aggression) among bisexual men (N = 113), and how the gender of one's partner might moderate this effect. Results suggested that binegativity is detrimentally associated with relationship satisfaction, and that bisexual men in relationships with women report more frequent intimate partner aggression. Furthermore, partner gender and binegativity showed novel interactive associations with intimate partner aggression, such that bisexual men in relationships with women tended to perpetrate less intimate partner aggression when experiencing more binegativity. These results are discussed with regard to future avenues for research into the health promotive benefits of relationships for bisexual individuals.

Dyadic effects of enacted stigma, internalized homophobia, and communal coping on depressive symptoms among cisgender sexual minority male couples

The present study investigated the dyadic direct and indirect effects of enacted stigma on depressive symptoms via internalized homophobia and whether communal coping moderated the effects of enacted stigma on internalized homophobia and depressive symptoms. Hypotheses were tested using actor-partner interdependence models with a sample of 543 cisgender sexual minority male couples. Results showed both partners' enacted stigma experiences were associated with elevated levels of internalized homophobia via actor and partner effects. Internalized homophobia was only associated with elevated depressive symptoms via actor effects. Indirect effects analysis suggested that internalized homophobia mediated the actor and partner influence of enacted stigma on depressive symptoms. Communal coping moderated the direct effects of enacted stigma on internalized homophobia and attenuated the conditional indirect actor and partner effects of enacted stigma on depressive symptoms. Findings underscore the role of intimate relationship processes in understanding the impacts of enacted stigma on depressive symptoms.

Gender operationalisation and stress measurement in research with adolescent males: a scoping review

Aim

Stress measurement in adolescent males is in its relative infancy, which is likely to influence the effectiveness of mental health services for this heterogeneous population. Although evidence suggests the prevalence of mental health difficulties increases during adolescence, the relationship between gender and stress measurement is less explored or understood. This review summarizes findings on gender operationalisation and stress measurement in research with adolescent males.

Methods

For this scoping review, six electronic databases across social and life sciences were searched using terms linked to adolescence, male, stress and research design. Articles were screened, data were extracted, and a narrative synthesis used to characterise studies by research design, adaptation of method for participants’ cultural context, operationalisation of gender, and measurement of stress.

Results

Searches identified 3259 citations, 95 met inclusion criteria and were reviewed. Findings suggest that research on psychological stress in adolescence is a developing field, but one that is currently dominated by Western studies. Furthermore, the results indicate that stress measurement research with adolescent males tends not to make adaptations relative to participants' gender, age, or context.

Conclusions

Stress research with adolescent males is lacking in scope. This review highlights the need for researchers to consider stress responses as more than a biological response, as it has been conceptualised historically. Recommendations for researchers to report research design and protocol more clearly are made to support readers to understand how stress and gender have been operationalised and measured and how this may influence research methodology. Future research should avoid conflating biological differences with gendered experience and demonstrate greater sensitivity to how gender identity may intersect with age and location to perpetuate gendered inequalities.

The negative effects of internalized homonegativity on sexual satisfaction: dyadic effects and gender-based differences in Chile

Heterosexism is not only expressed through sexual prejudice as an external stressor, but also as an internalized rejection toward one's own (and others') sexually diverse identity. That is, lesbian women and gay men themselves internalize negative societal attitudes toward their sexual orientation and identity-a phenomenon called internalized homonegativity. A wealth of research shows that internalized homonegativity negatively affects the health and social adjustment of gay and lesbian people. However, the literature has documented this trend from an individual (over a dyadic) perspective, and largely among gay (over lesbian) samples. To address this oversight, we analyzed data from 210 gay and lesbian couples in Chile to examine both actor and partner effects of internalized homonegativity on their sexual satisfaction. Results from moderation analyses from an actor-partner interdependence model (APIM) approach show that partners' internalized homonegativity negatively affects actor sexual satisfaction, a pattern significantly moderated by gender; that is, only observed among lesbian couples. Our results further demonstrated that these effects hold above and beyond the actor and partner effects of age and relationship satisfaction, as well as relationship length. These results are consistent with the broader literature, which discusses the specific features of internalized homonegativity in lesbian women, characterized-among other aspects-by restrictive social demands over their sexuality. Accordingly, our findings highlight the deleterious relational consequences of internalized homonegativity and offer a relevant empirical contribution to the understanding of specific minority stress dynamics among lesbian women.

Relationship Identities Among Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Adults: An Exploratory Study

Relationship identities are established through romantic interactions and informed by sociohistorical context. The associations between lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) identities and identities in other domains, including relationship identities, have yet to receive sufficient attention from researchers. In this exploratory study, through a qualitative analysis of life-history interviews from the Generations Study, we identified participants who described their identity in terms of a romantic relationship (e.g., partner, husband/wife). In describing their relationship identities, two themes emerged: (a) negotiation of a relationship identity with other identities, such as gender or race/ethnicity and (b) navigating being visible or invisible within the LGB community and/or at the societal level. Together these themes suggest that relationships may be salient components of personal identity when sexual minority individuals in a couple either individually or jointly feel that they stand out (or that they become invisible).

Perceptions of Relationship Quality Before and During COVID-19 Pandemic Among Young Sexual Minority Men in Romantic Relationships

The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the well-being of people worldwide; however, there has been limited research examining ways in which the pandemic has created changes in relationship quality among young sexual minority men. We analyzed data from a sample of 150 young sexual minority men, aged 15-24 years. In total, 25% reported their relationship quality decreased during the pandemic, 47% reported no change, and 28% reported increased relationship quality due to COVID-19. In multinomial models, intimate partner violence, lower commitment, and spending less time with a partner due to COVID-19 were associated with decreased relationship quality during the pandemic compared to those who reported no change or increased relationship quality due to the pandemic. More efforts are needed to understand and address the impact of COVID-19 on the romantic relationships of young sexual minority men.

Mechanisms of Mental-Health Disparities Among Minoritized Groups: How Well Are the Top Journals in Clinical Psychology Representing This Work?

We have known for decades that mental health disparities exist among minoritized groups, including race, ethnicity, sexual identities, gender identity and expression, ability, and others. Theories and frameworks that incorporate stressors unique to the experiences of minoritized groups, such as the biopsychosocial model of racism (Clark et al, 1999) and minority stress model (Meyer, 2003), offer testable mechanisms that may help explain, in part, mental health disparities. However, research addressing mechanisms of these disparities is still scarce and is not well represented in our top clinical psychology journals. This review critically examines the extent to which top tier clinical psychology journals publish work examining mechanisms of mental health disparities among minoritized populations. We find very few studies have been published in top clinical psychology journals that address mechanisms of mental health disparities. We examine potential reasons for this and discuss recommendations for future research.

Partners' Consensus About Joint Effort and COVID-19 Prevention Among Sexual Minority Men

The current study examined the relevance of relationship functioning to partners' agreement or consensus about joint effort surrounding COVID-19 prevention. Interdependence theory has been widely used to understand how relationship partners influence health behavior, including how sexual minority male (SMM) couples regulate HIV risk. Couples with better relationship functioning tend to be more successful at negotiating joint (shared) goals and subsequently accomplishing them. The study recruited 134 cis-male, SARS-CoV-2 negative adults in relationships with cis-male partners from phone-based social networking applications. Participants completed an online survey assessing relationship functioning (Perceived Relationship Components Questionnaire), COVID-19 prevention behaviors, and risk perceptions. Partners' consensus around joint COVID-19 prevention effort was assessed using an adapted version of the Preferences for Sexual Health Outcomes scale. Path analyses indicated that consensus for joint prevention effort predicted social distancing (B = 0.23; p = .001) and the number of other COVID-19 prevention behaviors engaged in (B = 0.17; p = .003) above and beyond perceived risk and relationship functioning. Relationship satisfaction predicted higher levels of consensus for joint COVID-19 prevention effort (B = 0.40; p = .029). Findings suggest that the theoretical foundations of successful HIV prevention interventions that utilize joint goal formation may generalize to the prediction of COVID-19 prevention behavior and may be leveraged to mitigate the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection among SMM in relationships. Interventions that overlook the potential for dyadic regulation of health behavior may miss opportunities to capitalize on shared coping resources and fail to address relational barriers to prevention.

Identity and Relationship-Based Discrimination, and Mental Health in a Sample of Sexual Minority Male Couples

PURPOSE

The study explored the unique associations of individual identity-based discrimination and relationship-based discrimination with mental health among sexual minority male couples. It also examined whether couples' relationship functioning moderated associations between relationship-based discrimination, the experience of one's romantic relationship being devalued, and mental health outcomes.

METHODS

Baseline dyadic data drawn from a clinical trial involving 70 couples (N= 140) were analyzed using Actor-Partner Interdependence Modeling. The sample consisted of sexual minority men, of which 54.3% identified as a person of color. Each partner completed the computerized survey independently. Data were collected using the Relationship Marginalization Scale, Dyadic Adjustment Scale, Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7, and Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale-Revised scales.

RESULTS

Dyadic adjustment moderated (i.e., buffered against) the association between relationship-based discrimination and depressive symptoms. The effects appeared to follow an intra-individual pattern (B _ACTOR = -0.06, p = .048 and B _PARTNER = -0.07, p = .030) indicating the lack of evidence for crossover effects. The interaction terms predicting anxiety yielded non-significant results.

CONCLUSIONS

The current research suggests that dyadic functioning buffers against the effects of stigma. These findings point to the potential utility of interventions to improve relationship functioning into interventions addressing stigma among partnered sexual minority men.

Internalized Homophobia and Relationship Quality among Same-Sex Couples: The Mediating Role of Intimate Partner Violence

Based on a geographically and socioeconomically diverse sample of 144 same-sex couples and using a dyadic approach (i.e., the Actor-Partner Interdependence Mediation Model [APIMeM] with interchangeable dyads), this study examined the association between internalized homophobia and same-sex relationship quality, and also tested the potential mediating role of intimate partner violence perpetration in this association. Results indicated that individuals' own and their partners' psychological violence perpetration mediated the negative associations from individuals' own internalized homophobia to individuals' own and their partner's relationship quality. Such findings contribute to the understanding of mechanisms underlying the harmful effects of sexual minority stressors for same-sex relationship well-being. Implications for interventions were also discussed.

Examining minority stress, dyadic coping, and internalizing symptoms among male same-sex couples using actor-partner interdependence models

Minority stress processes have been consistently linked to increased internalizing symptoms among sexual minority individuals. However, very little research has studied the impact of minority stress on the mental health of same-sex couples. The present study examined associations of actor and partner heterosexist microaggressions and internalized heterosexism with internalizing symptoms, moderated by dyadic coping, among male same-sex couples. Participants were 774 men who have sex with men (387 dyads). Results of actor-partner interdependence models showed that actor, but not partner, minority stress was positively associated with internalizing symptoms. Dyadic coping moderated the association of actor heterosexist microaggressions on internalizing symptoms such that for those who engaged in more dyadic coping, the association of heterosexist microaggressions with internalizing symptoms was weaker. Dyadic coping also moderated the association of partner internalized heterosexism on internalizing symptoms. For those who engaged in more dyadic coping, their partner's internalized heterosexism was associated with greater internalizing symptoms. Although dyadic coping may buffer the effects of minority stress on internalizing symptoms, if partners rely too heavily on one another to cope with stress, it may be detrimental to their mental health. Implications for relationship education interventions for same-sex couples are discussed. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved).

Romantic relationships and sexual minority health: A review and description of the Dyadic Health Model

A large body of literature has documented the health promotive effects of healthy committed relationships on the health and wellbeing of heterosexual people in different-sex relationships, including observational and longitudinal studies, couple-based intervention development and evaluation efforts, and articulation of theoretical frameworks. A much smaller but growing field of research has observed that same-sex relationships have similar effects on health outcomes but that these couples face unique stressors that may impact relationship functioning and health. Further, extant theoretical frameworks do not sufficiently address the multiple pathways by which psychosocial vulnerabilities and stressors impact same-sex relationship functioning, engagement in health-related risk behaviors, and the mental and physical health of sexual minorities in relationships. The purpose of this manuscript is to: a) review the existing literature on relationship functioning and health among sexual minorities, including both observational and intervention studies; and b) present an integrated model of relationship functioning and health for same-sex couples that can be used as a basis for further studies on sexual minority dyads, as well as the development of novel couple-based interventions to optimize the health promoting effects of relationships.

Romantic Attachment and Relationship Satisfaction in Gay Men and Lesbians in Chile

Attachment theory has proven to be a solid framework for understanding couple bonds, but research focused on same-sex relationships among gay men and lesbian women from Latin America remains limited. The purpose of this study was to examine the association between romantic attachment and relationship satisfaction in a sample of Chilean gay men and lesbian women. A snowball sampling was used. The final sample consisted of 259 individuals involved in a same-sex couple relationship, ranging from 18 to 66 years of age (M = 27.2, SD = 6.8) for gay men and 18 to 57 years of age (M = 28.6, SD = 8.1) for lesbian women. Our hypotheses were partially supported, as there was a negative association between attachment avoidance and relationship satisfaction, but not between attachment anxiety and relationship satisfaction. We did not find a gender moderating effect. These findings may contribute to the understanding of lesbian and gay people in a same-sex couples relationship from an attachment theory perspective.

Role of Social and Sexual Network Factors in PrEP Utilization Among YMSM and Transgender Women in Chicago

Despite demonstrated efficacy, uptake of HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) remains low, particularly among high-risk demographics such as transgender women, Black men who have sex with men (BMSM), and young MSM (YMSM). Research thus far has largely focused on individual factors that may impede PrEP uptake in these demographics, leaving social network factors relatively unexplored. The present study used data collected from participants within RADAR, a longitudinal cohort study in Chicago focused on understanding the individual, dyadic, network, social, and biologic factors associated with HIV infection within YMSM. Of the 906 study participants who did not report an HIV diagnosis at baseline, 7.0% reported using PrEP in the prior 6 months. Recent PrEP use was associated with both individual-level (age and gender) and network-level factors (mean relationship strength, sexual network degree, etc.). These findings highlight the need to expand beyond focusing on individual-level drivers of PrEP uptake, as well as changing our understanding of who is most important within a network (centrality vs. strength of weak ties). Future work is needed to determine whether variables associated with PrEP uptake are similarly connected to PrEP adherence.

The influence of stress on depression and substance use problems among young male same-sex couples: Relationship functioning as an underlying mechanism

Stress experienced by either partner in a couple can have a negative impact on each partner's health, but most dyadic research on stress and health focuses on different-sex couples. We examined relationship functioning as a mechanism underlying the longitudinal actor and partner effects of stress on depression and substance use problems among 109 young male same-sex couples. There were significant indirect actor effects of internalized stigma and microaggressions on depression and alcohol use problems through negative relationship interactions. Participants who reported higher levels of internalized stigma and microaggressions reported more negative relationship interactions, which in turn was associated with reporting greater depression and alcohol use problems. In contrast, none of the indirect partner effects were significant. Findings implicate negative relationship interactions as a mechanism linking minority stress to health, but raise questions about the influence of partner stress on individual health among young male same-sex couples.

Sexual orientation-related stigma and relationship functioning among female same-sex couples

This article discusses how sexual orientation-based stigma serves to undermine functioning in female same-sex relationships. We particularly focus on the unique roles of interpersonal stigma (e.g., victimization, microaggressions) and structural stigma (e.g., institutional forms of discrimination), highlighting critical limitations and gaps in this literature and offering suggestions for future studies. We also discuss the need for future work on sexual orientation-related stigma and relationship functioning to consider the unique experiences of bisexual women, intersecting identities, and couple-level perspectives on stigma.