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Siegel M, Randall AK, Lannutti PJ, Fischer MS, Gandhi Y, Lukas R, Meuwly N, Rosta-Filep O, van Stein K, Ditzen B, Martos T, Schneckenreiter C, Totenhagen CJ, Zemp M. Intimate Pride: a Tri-Nation Study on Associations between Positive Minority Identity Aspects and Relationship Quality in Sexual Minorities from German-Speaking Countries. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF APPLIED POSITIVE PSYCHOLOGY 2022; 8:1-29. [PMID: 35936990 PMCID: PMC9344453 DOI: 10.1007/s41042-022-00070-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Investigations into the intimate relationships of sexual minorities are proliferating, but often adopt a deficit-oriented and US-centered perspective. In this tri-nation online study with sexual minority participants from Austria, Germany, and Switzerland (N = 571), we (i) assessed the construct validity of the German version of a well-known measure for positive minority identity aspects (the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual Positive Identity Measure; LGB-PIM), and (ii) explored associations between these aspects (self-awareness, authenticity, community, capacity for intimacy, and social justice) and self-reported relationship quality. Model fit of the German version of the LGB-PIM was deemed acceptable. Higher levels of positive minority identity aspects showed small to moderate associations with higher levels of relationship quality in bivariate analyses, but only capacity for intimacy was linked to relationship quality in higher-order models (controlling for country, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, relationship length, and psychological distress). Results remained robust in several sensitivity analyses. Our results highlight the differential role of positive identity aspects for relationship functioning, with capacity for intimacy as a fruitful leverage point for therapeutic work.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magdalena Siegel
- Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Department of Public Health, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerpen, Belgium
| | - Ashley K. Randall
- Counseling and Counseling Psychology, Arizona State University, Tempe, USA
| | | | - Melanie S. Fischer
- Institute of Medical Psychology, Heidelberg University Hospital & Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Yuvamathi Gandhi
- Counseling and Counseling Psychology, Arizona State University, Tempe, USA
| | - Raphaela Lukas
- Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Nathalie Meuwly
- Department of Psychology, Institute for Family Research and Counseling, University of Fribourg, Fribourg, Switzerland
| | | | - Katharina van Stein
- Institute of Medical Psychology, Heidelberg University Hospital & Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Beate Ditzen
- Institute of Medical Psychology, Heidelberg University Hospital & Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Tamás Martos
- Department of Personality, Clinical and Health Psychology, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | | | - Casey J. Totenhagen
- Human Development and Family Studies, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, USA AL
| | - Martina Zemp
- Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
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Morandini J, Strudwick J, Menzies R, Dar-Nimrod I. Differences between Australian Bisexual and Pansexual Women: An assessment of minority stressors and psychological outcomes. PSYCHOLOGY & SEXUALITY 2022. [DOI: 10.1080/19419899.2022.2100717] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- James Morandini
- School of Psychology, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | | | - Rachel Menzies
- School of Psychology, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Ilan Dar-Nimrod
- School of Psychology, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
- The Charles Perkins Centre, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
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Assink M, Rothblum ED, Wilson BDM, Gartrell N, Bos HMW. Mental Health of Lesbian, Bisexual, and Other-Identified Parents and Non-Parents from a Population-Based Study. JOURNAL OF HOMOSEXUALITY 2022; 69:205-229. [PMID: 33684022 DOI: 10.1080/00918369.2021.1892401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Studies have compared sexual minority mothers (mostly lesbian) to heterosexual mothers on mental health, but little research has compared sexual minority women with and without children. This was the first study to compare sexual minority women who did or did not have children, using a population-based sample with three age cohorts. Unlike prior convenience studies, this study finds parents more likely to be bisexual, in a relationship with a man, and non-urban. Bisexual parents scored higher than lesbian parents on psychological distress and lower on life satisfaction and happiness; they also reported less connection to the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community. Among lesbians, the oldest non-parents reported more happiness and less psychological distress than the youngest non-parents. Parents with other identities perceived more social support from friends and reported lower levels of internalized homophobia than bisexual parents. The results will help professionals and policymakers understand how parenthood status affects women across sexual identities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark Assink
- Research Institute of Child Development and Education, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Esther D Rothblum
- Women's Studies Department, San Diego State University, San Diego, California, USA
| | - Bianca D M Wilson
- The Williams Institute, School of Law, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Nanette Gartrell
- Research Institute of Child Development and Education, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- The Williams Institute, School of Law, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Henny M W Bos
- Research Institute of Child Development and Education, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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Haggerty BB, Bradbury TN, Karney BR. The disconnected couple: intimate relationships in the context of social isolation. Curr Opin Psychol 2021; 43:24-29. [PMID: 34271282 PMCID: PMC10185005 DOI: 10.1016/j.copsyc.2021.06.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2021] [Revised: 06/02/2021] [Accepted: 06/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Partners in intimate relationships, because they have each other to rely on, have generally been considered safe from the negative consequences of social isolation. Here, we question this assumption, suggesting instead that social isolation may pose a threat to couples by depriving them of the tangible and emotional support that couples are likely to need, especially when confronted by stress. After briefly reviewing theoretical frameworks relevant to this idea, this article summarizes existing research documenting (1) associations between network ties and relationship outcomes, (2) mediators of these associations, for example, support and approval, and (3) moderators of these associations, for example, relationship qualities and cultural differences. We conclude by describing a research agenda to address methodological limitations in existing research and the policy implications of this line of work.
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Lorenz TK. Brief Report: Sexual Wellbeing in Heterosexual, Mostly Heterosexual, and Bisexually Attracted Men and Women. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SEXUAL HEALTH : OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE WORLD ASSOCIATION FOR SEXUAL HEALTH 2019; 31:339-349. [PMID: 33968289 PMCID: PMC8101983 DOI: 10.1080/19317611.2019.1628156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2019] [Revised: 04/17/2019] [Accepted: 05/31/2019] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To assess differences in sexual wellbeing among men and women with exclusively heterosexual, mostly heterosexual, and bisexual attractions. METHOD An anonymous online survey in a convenience sample of 597 young adults (394 women, 203 men; average age = 20.04) assessed patterns of sexual attraction, desire, sexual functioning, and sexual satisfaction using validated questionnaires. RESULTS Individuals with mostly heterosexual attractions reported significantly higher solitary sexual desire than exclusively heterosexual individuals (women: d = 0.64; men: d = 0.68). Partnered sexual desire did not differ between groups. Women with exclusively heterosexual attractions reported significantly higher sexual functioning and satisfaction than either mostly heterosexual or bisexually attracted women (functioning: d = 0.29; satisfaction: d = 0.47). Men with mostly heterosexual attractions reported significantly lower sexual functioning than either exclusively heterosexual or bisexually attracted men (d = 0.40). CONCLUSIONS There were significant differences between exclusively vs. mostly heterosexual individuals in several aspects of sexual wellbeing, supporting the assertion that mostly heterosexual may constitute a distinct orientation. Taken together with prior research showing higher rates of sexual dysfunction in bisexual women, these findings highlight sexual health disparities among nonmonosexual women. Efforts to support the sexual wellbeing of sexual minority individuals should include consideration of mostly heterosexual individuals, as this population may have unique sexual health needs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tierney K Lorenz
- Department of Psychology and Center for Brain, Biology and Behavior, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, Nebraksa, USA
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer A. Vencill
- Program in Human Sexuality, Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Tania Israel
- Department of Counseling, Clinical, and School Psychology, Gevirtz Graduate School of Education, University of California – Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA, USA
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