Perceived Discrimination and Relationship Satisfaction Among Same-Sex Couples: The Role of Dyadic Stress and Sex

Race-Based Discrimination, Internalized Racism, and Anticipatory Stigma Among Sexual Minority Men in Same-Race and Interracial Relationships

Sexual minority men (SMM) of color in inter-racial/ethnic relationships experience more stress than those in same-race/ethnic relationships. While minority stress in SMM couples has been studied, few studies have examined race/ethnicity and SMM relationship dynamics in an integrative manner, especially at the individual level. This study examined race-based discrimination, internalized racism, and anticipatory stigma among 391 U.S. SMM who reported being in romantic relationships. A MANOVA model analyzed differences in these outcomes across six groups: a) Latinx SMM with a Latinx partner, b) White SMM with a White partner, c) Black SMM with a Black partner, d) Asian SMM with an Asian partner, e) White SMM with a partner of color, and f) SMM of color with a White partner. There were significant differences in internalized racism across Asian, Latinx, and White SMM with a partner who shared the same racial/ethnic background. Anticipatory stigma was significantly higher for Black SMM with a Black partner than for Asian SMM with an Asian partner. SMM of color with a partner of color reported greater internalized racism and race-based discrimination than White SMM with a White partner. Racism and stigma were consistently higher among SMM of color with a White partner than White SMM with a partner of color. Our findings highlight the importance of considering the intersectionality between racial/ethnic identity and relationship dynamics when designing relationship-based interventions.

Minority Stress and Dyadic Stress in Same-Sex Couples: The Role of Dyadic Coping and Relationship Duration

Objectives

We investigated how internalized homonegativity and dyadic stress predicted relationship satisfaction in same-sex romantic relationships and explored the moderating roles of dyadic coping and relationship duration in the aforementioned associations.

Methods

The actor-partner interdependence moderation model (APIMoM) was introduced to deal with mutual influences between both partners in 241 same-sex romantic relationships.

Results

(1) individual internalized homonegativity, dyadic stress, and dyadic coping predict their own relationship satisfaction (i.e., actor effect); (2) individual dyadic stress predicts their partner's relationship satisfaction (i.e., partner effect), but only for those with a shorter relationship duration (i.e., ≤ 36 months); and (3) dyadic coping buffers the effect of individual dyadic stress on their own relationship satisfaction, but only for those in the group with a longer relationship durations (i.e., > 36 months).

Conclusions

These findings highlight the importance of a dyadic approach to further understand the impact of stress on relationship satisfaction. We reflect that interventions on couple-oriented coping could improve relationship well-being and sexual health among same-sex couples.

Effects of Subjective Orgasm Experience in Sexual Satisfaction: A Dyadic Analysis in Same-Sex Hispanic Couples

Subjective orgasm experience (SOE) is a component of sexual health that refers to the perception, sensation and/or appraisal of orgasm at a psychological level. This construct has scarcely been studied in non-heterosexual individuals and couples, and never before from a dyadic perspective. In this study, in which 104 same-sex Hispanic couples participated (48 male-male and 56 female-female), we explored the dyadic influence of SOE dimensions on sexual satisfaction, the mediating role of relationship satisfaction on the association of both phases of sexual response, as well as the explanatory capacity that discrepancies in these dimensions had on sexual satisfaction. The results indicated that the orgasmic dimensions that gained more prominence were Affective and Sensory. A dyadic influence of both on sexual satisfaction was observed only in male couples, as well as a detriment of sexual satisfaction when there were discrepancies in them, especially in women. Moreover, relationship satisfaction was a significant mediator between all dimensions of SOE and sexual satisfaction in both types of couples. This work highlights the need to take into account the SOE of both partners and how this individual experience can affect other dimensions of a more interpersonal nature, such as sexual or relationship satisfaction.

Romantic Attachment, Relationship Satisfaction, Internalized Sexual Stigma, and Motives for Parenthood in Italian Lesbian Women and Gay Men

This study examines romantic attachment, internalized sexual stigma, relationship satisfaction, and motives for parenthood in a sample of 313 Italian lesbian women (47.9%) and gay men (52.1%) aged 18-71 years (M = 36.2; SD = 11.9) and in same-sex relationships. The following hypotheses were tested: that romantic attachment is positively correlated with internalized stigma and motives to not have children, while it is negatively correlated with relationship satisfaction; that relationship satisfaction is negatively correlated with internalized stigma and motives for parenthood; that internalized stigma is negatively correlated with motives for parenthood; and that relationship satisfaction mediates the relationships between romantic attachment and motives for parenthood and between internalized stigma and motives for parenthood. The results strongly support the hypotheses. Furthermore, the results indicate that the lesbian participants reported lower levels of avoidance and internalized stigma and higher levels of relationship satisfaction and motives to not have children, and the participants in civil unions reported lower levels of anxiety and internalized stigma and higher levels of relationship satisfaction and motives to not have children. Taken together, our findings contribute to the growing body of research on LG parenthood and may inform social policy and psychological support for LG individuals pursuing parenthood.

Family and Relationship Quality among Young Adults with Different Sexual Orientations in Urban China: The Mediating Effects of Life Satisfaction and Self-Esteem

This study explored the ambivalent effects of family on the close relationship quality of Chinese young adults. From a national estimate of the urban population across mainland China, 5,089 participants aged 20-39 were recruited for this study. A three-dimensional conceptualization was applied to identify three groups with different sexual orientations in this study. Group A comprised participants who identified as sexual minority people; Group B comprised participants who identified as heterosexuals but were not exclusively attracted to one sex and/or individuals who had had same-sex sexual experiences; Group C comprised participants who identified as heterosexuals. Groups A and B reported lower close relationship satisfaction and psychological well-being than Group C. Life satisfaction and self-esteem partially mediated the association between family and close relationship satisfaction for all groups. However, this relationship was weaker for Group B, and closeness to family benefitted Group B's life satisfaction to a lesser extent, indicating that the nuanced relationship with family influenced the sexual minority people with heterosexual identities. We recommend future directions and practices in local research and policy-making.