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Randall AK, Liekmeier E, Totenhagen CJ, Lannutti PJ, Leon GA, Siegel M, Ditzen B, Baiocco R, Chiarolanza C, Meuwly N, Zemp M, Fischer MS, van Stein KR, Baldi M, Isolani S, Masturzi A, Pistella J, Gandhi Y, Rosta-Filep O, Martos T, Bodenmann G. German and Italian validation of the Dyadic Coping Inventory-Sexual Minority Stress (DCI-SMS) scale. J Fam Psychol 2024:2024-75478-001. [PMID: 38635174 DOI: 10.1037/fam0001206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/19/2024]
Abstract
Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals (hereafter people with minoritized sexual orientation and/or gender identities) have limited legal rights and access to resources because of their marginalized status in society. These limitations are associated with notable health disparities and increase experiences of minority stress. For those in a romantic relationship, being able to communicate and cope with one's partner-dyadic coping-can help buffer stress' deleterious effects on well-being. Given the promise of understanding how dyadic coping can mitigate experiences of sexual minority stress, the Dyadic Coping Inventory-Sexual Minority Stress (DCI-SMS) was recently created and validated with those living in the United States to assess how partners cope with sexual minority stress. Answering a global call to expand psychological science beyond a U.S. centric perspective, the purpose of this study was to validate the DCI-SMS in German and Italian using samples from Austria, Germany, Switzerland, and Italy, respectively. Confirmatory factor analysis results, along with tests of convergent and discriminant validity, and measurement invariance, suggest that the DCI-SMS is a valid measure of stress communication and dyadic coping behaviors for those in a same-gender relationship in the countries sampled. Important future directions include examining its efficacy in other countries, such as those with more adverse sociopolitical climates for people with minoritized sexual orientation and/or gender identities in a same-gender relationship. Limitations and future directions for research and clinical practice are presented. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashley K Randall
- School of Counseling and Counseling Psychology, Arizona State University
| | | | - Casey J Totenhagen
- Department of Human Development and Family Studies, University of Alabama
| | | | - Gabriel A Leon
- Department of Psychology, University of Southern California
| | - Magdalena Siegel
- Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, University of Vienna
| | - Beate Ditzen
- Institute of Medical Psychology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg University
| | - Roberto Baiocco
- Department of Developmental and Social Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome
| | - Claudia Chiarolanza
- Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology, and Health Studies, Sapienza University of Rome
| | | | - Martina Zemp
- Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, University of Vienna
| | | | - Katharina R van Stein
- Institute of Medical Psychology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg University
| | - Michela Baldi
- Department of Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome
| | - Stefano Isolani
- Department of Developmental and Social Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome
| | - Alessio Masturzi
- Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology, and Health Studies, Sapienza University of Rome
| | - Jessica Pistella
- Department of Developmental and Social Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome
| | - Yuvamathi Gandhi
- School of Counseling and Counseling Psychology, Arizona State University
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Bevan JL, Murphy MK, Lannutti PJ, Slatcher RB, Balzarini RN. A descriptive literature review of early research on COVID-19 and close relationships. J Soc Pers Relat 2023; 40:201-253. [PMID: 38603371 PMCID: PMC9297072 DOI: 10.1177/02654075221115387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/30/2023]
Abstract
This in-depth critical review investigates the impact of COVID-19 on personal relationships from the start of the pandemic in early 2020 to September 2021. Research examining six themes are identified and described in detail: the impact of COVID-19 on (1) family and intimate relationships; (2) LGBTQ+ relationships; (3) how COVID-19 is linked to technologically mediated communication and personal relationships; (4) potential shifts in sexual behaviors and desire; (5) potential shifts in relational conflict and intimate partner violence; and (6) constructive aspects of personal relationships, which is a broad theme that includes outcomes such as resilience, relational quality, coping, and social support. Findings for overarching patterns are offered to highlight implications for current research and identify future directions to consider when continuing to study personal relationships during the COVID-19 pandemic and similar future crises.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Rhonda N Balzarini
- Texas State University, San Marcos, TX, USA
- Kinsey Institute at Indiana
University, Bloomington, IN, USA
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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. Int J Appl Posit Psychol 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] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [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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Haas SM, Lannutti PJ. The Impact of Minority Stress and Social Support on Positive Relationship Functioning in Same-Sex Relationships. Health Commun 2021; 36:315-323. [PMID: 31696738 DOI: 10.1080/10410236.2019.1687130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
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.
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Denes A, Dillow MR, Lannutti PJ, Bevan JL. Acceptable experimentation?: Investigating reasons for same-sex infidelity and women's anticipated responses to a male partner's hypothetical same-sex infidelity. Personality and Individual Differences 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.paid.2020.109929] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Denes A, Dillow MR, DelGreco M, Lannutti PJ, Bevan JL. Forgive and Forget?: Examining the Influence of Blame and Intentionality on Forgiveness Following Hypothetical Same-Sex Infidelity in the Context of Heterosexual Romantic Relationships. J Sex Res 2020; 57:482-497. [PMID: 31144529 DOI: 10.1080/00224499.2019.1612831] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
The present study investigated responses to imagined same-sex infidelity committed by a partner in a heterosexual relationship. The motivational theory of infidelity and research on communicative infidelity were used as guiding frameworks for exploring differences in perceptions of blame and intentionality as a result of varying motivations for engaging in same-sex infidelity (i.e., cheating due to attraction, experimentation, sexual preoccupation, sexual depression, sociosexuality, jealousy, vengefulness, or not viewing the infidelity as cheating). It was predicted that greater perceptions of blame and intent would be associated with more negative transgression-related interpersonal motivations (i.e., more revenge and avoidance; less benevolence) and an increased expectation of terminating the relationship due to the partner's same-sex infidelity. Whether these relationships would replicate or differ according to the partner's motive for committing the hypothetical same-sex infidelity was also tested. Results revealed that, in general and across motives, attributions of blame were positively associated with revenge, avoidance, and relationship termination; perceived intentionality was positively associated with avoidance; and blame was negatively associated with benevolence. Furthermore, across most motives, blame was indirectly associated with relationship termination through avoidance and benevolence, and these associations were not moderated by biological sex. These findings and their implications for research on infidelity specifically, and relational functioning more broadly, are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda Denes
- Department of Communication, University of Connecticut
| | - Megan R Dillow
- Department of Communication Studies, West Virginia University
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Abstract
This study examines two aspects of the experiences that committed, unmarried same-sex couples have with social network members (friends and family members). The study examines how remaining unmarried affected the couples' relationships with social network members and the discursive strategies couples use when discussing their relationship with social network members. Twenty-seven committed, unmarried U.S. same-sex couples were interviewed. Couples described two challenges in their relationships with social network members as a result of not marrying: others perceived their commitment level as lessened because they did not marry, and others supported their relationship less because they did not marry. Couples used four discursive strategies to establish and maintain their family identity when interacting with social network members. Couples' relational experiences and discursive strategies were consistent with previous descriptions of discourse-dependent families.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pamela J Lannutti
- a Department of Communication , La Salle University , Philadelphia , Pennsylvania , USA
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Faulkner SL, Lannutti PJ. Representations of lesbian and bisexual women’s sexual and relational health in online video and text-based sources. Computers in Human Behavior 2016. [DOI: 10.1016/j.chb.2016.06.039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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Lannutti PJ. Does a Different Type of Marriage Make a Difference? Sex Roles 2010. [DOI: 10.1007/s11199-009-9737-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Faulkner SL, Lannutti PJ. Examining the content and outcomes of young adults' satisfying and unsatisfying conversations about sex. Qual Health Res 2010; 20:375-85. [PMID: 19955226 DOI: 10.1177/1049732309354274] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
In this study, we examined young adults' conversational descriptions of satisfying and unsatisfying sexual conversations with a romantic partner and the relational and sexual outcomes. We coded participants' responses for content, when and where conversations occurred, and the results of conversations. Most often, conversations occurred in residences at the beginning of relationships and addressed sexual pleasure, relationship issues, sexual health, past sexual experience, attitudes/values, and sexual decision making. The results of conversations included relational consequences such as distrust, anger, understanding, and being afraid to talk to a partner, as well as sexual outcomes such as better sex, condom use, and better sex talk. The findings suggest that the costs and rewards of young adults' sexual disclosure have implications for the effectiveness of sexual communication.
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Abstract
This paper reports the results of three studies conducted to develop, refine, and validate a scale which assessed heterosexual adults' attitudes toward same-sex marriage, the Attitude Toward Same-Sex Marriage Scale (ASSMS). The need for such a scale is evidenced in the increasing importance of same-sex marriage in the political arena of the United States and other nations, as well as the growing body of empirical research examining same-sex marriage and related issues (e.g., Lannutti, 2005; Solomon, Rothblum, & Balsam, 2004). The results demonstrate strong reliability, convergent validity, and predictive validity for the ASSMS and suggest that the ASSMS may be adapted to measure attitudes toward civil unions and other forms of relational recognition for same-sex couples. Gender comparisons using the validated scale showed that in college and non-college samples, women had a significantly more positive attitude toward same-sex marriage than did men.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pamela J Lannutti
- Department of Communication, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, MA 02467, USA.
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Abstract
This study examines the ways in which legally recognized same-sex marriage affects the understanding of same-sex romantic relationships for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered (LGBT) individuals. Participants (N = 288) responded to an open-ended Web-based survey asking them to describe how legally recognized same-sex marriage influenced their view of their own romantic relationship or romantic relationships in general. Results indicate that legally recognized same-sex marriage impacted participants' understanding of romantic relationships by making existing relationships seem more real and by serving as a tool through which participants realized their desires for ideal potential partner and relationship characteristics. The results suggest that legally recognized same-sex marriage is seen as both beneficial and challenging for samesex couples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pamela J Lannutti
- Department of Communication, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, MA 02467, USA.
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