Female same-gender couples face systemic forms of marginalization related to their sexual minority orientations, relationship structures, and gender identities. Sexual minority stress theory, first developed by Brooks (1981) and later advanced by Meyer (2003), provides a useful framework for understanding the chronic nature and cumulative effects of these experiences, particularly in association with individual mental and physical health outcomes.
However, intimate relationships are inherently interdependent, with each partner’s behaviors, cognitions, and emotional expressions continuously influencing their partner (Kelley et al., 2003). As such, marginalization experienced by one partner may spill over into their relationship with their partner (LeBlanc et al., 2015). In recent years, scholars have begun to establish that sexual minority stress—defined as experiences of discrimination, sexual identity concealment, and internalized stigma—has negative associations with relationship quality among same-gender couples (Cao et al., 2017). However, most of this research has focused on intrapersonal associations, meaning that an individual’s experience of sexual minority stress is associated with their own reports of poorer relationship quality. Less research, particularly on female same-gender couples, has focused on cross-partner associations, referring to how an individual’s experiences of sexual minority stress may affect not only their own relationship quality but also their partner’s relationship quality as well.
To address this gap, Shelby B. Scott, Aleja M. Parsons, Quyen A. Do, Kayla Knopp, and Galena K. Rhoades conducted a recent studyopens in new window to investigate how self-report measures of sexual minority stress (e.g., discrimination, outness, and internalized stigma) were associated with relationship quality and observed communication behaviors from a coded conflict discussion. Their sample included 103 female same-gender couples, and the research team used Actor-Partner Interdependence Models (Kenny et al., 2006) to assess intrapersonal and cross-partner associations of sexual minority stress with relationship outcomes.
The researchers found support for both intrapersonal and cross-partner associations of sexual minority stress with relationship quality and communication behaviors. Specifically, one partner reporting higher levels of discrimination was associated with poorer relationship quality for both themselves and their partner. Similarly, one partner reporting higher levels of internalized stigma was associated with more negative communication behaviors for both themselves and their partner as well. Additionally, one partner reporting higher levels of sexual identity disclosure was associated with better communication behaviors (more positive, less negative) for both partners.
Results from this study provide some of the first demonstrations of both intrapersonal and cross-partner associations between sexual minority stress and relationship functioning in female same-gender couples. Clinicians working with female same-gender couples may find it beneficial to assess each partner’s experiences with sexual minority stress, including discrimination, identity concealment, and internalized stigma. If areas of sexual minority stress are high for either partner, it may be important to consider how such experiences manifest in their relationship patterns. Clinicians may also help by providing psychoeducation about how stress can infiltrate intimate relationships while offering information and skills on adaptive coping. It may also be useful for partners to discuss how they would like to receive support from one another to strengthen their relationships and cope more adaptively with these stressors together.
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