Equality Discrepancy Between Women in Same-Sex Relationships: The Mediating Role of Attachment in Relationship Satisfaction

Abstract

This internet study explored the mediating effects of anxious and avoidant attachment on the link between relationship equality discrepancy and relationship satisfaction among 75 cohabitating U.S. and Canadian women's same-sex couples. Multiple regression results indicated that both anxious and avoidant attachment were found to mediate the relationship between dyadic equality discrepancy and relationship satisfaction, suggesting that the more partners perceived their relationships to be unequal, the more individual partners' fears and discomforts about their relationships increased, and in turn, anxious and avoidant attachment was associated with reduced relationship satisfaction. Results reinforced the importance of equality within women's same-sex relationships; clinical implications are discussed in light of the connection between equality and attachment for adult sexual minority women.

“What do you mean when you say that you are sexually satisfied?” A mixed methods study

“…While the centrality of gender to sexual satisfaction has been previously explored, researchers have often focused on gender ideals and gender norm conformity (Horne and Bliss, 2009;Sanchez et al, 2012) rather than positive or satisfying aspects of femininity and masculinity. For example, examined individuals' conformity to gender ideals (the ''ideal woman'' or ''ideal man'') and found that investment in gender conformity predicted lower sexual satisfaction.…”

Women who have sex with women: a comprehensive review of the literature and conceptual model of sexual function

“…The role of power and relationship satisfaction has received considerable research attention in female same-sex relationships (e.g., Caldwell & Peplau, 1984;Horne & Biss, 2009;Kurdek, 1998;Peplau, Padesky, & Hamilton, 1983); WSW who report a balance of power in their relationships also report higher relationship satisfaction (e.g., Eldridge & Gilbert, 1990;Kurdek, 2003). In spite of this, only one questionnaire study of 77 women who were in "romantic/sexual" same-sex relationships has looked at power and sexual satisfaction (Caldwell & Peplau, 1984) finding that those who reported an equal balance of power between partners in the relationship also reported greater sexual satisfaction.…”

Identity Transformation During the Transition to Parenthood Among Same‐Sex Couples: An Ecological, Stress‐Strategy‐Adaptation Perspective

“…Third, comothers in same‐sex couples are more likely to confront competition with each other during parenthood than cofathers in same‐sex couples, as partners in same‐sex female couples place more emphases on role equality and sensitivity to (un)fairness in relationships (Horne & Biss, ; Kurdek, ). Perhaps as a result, comothers in same‐sex couples report a higher likelihood of engaging in conflicts induced by asymmetrical legal, biological, and emotional bonds with children than do cofathers in same‐sex couples (Pelka, ).…”

“…Given that same‐sex couples (particularly female couples) tend to place more emphasis on fairness and equality within the relationships than do heterosexual couples (Dunne, ; Goldberg, ; Horne & Biss, ; Kurdek, ), an increased specification of labor between partners during the transition to parenthood may be more likely to induce tension, conflicts, and distress for couples. New same‐sex coparents may need to develop strategies to offset the potentially negative effects of the disproportionate share of child care and housework.…”

“…Furthermore, considering that parental identities are embedded in caregiving roles and are constructed through interactions in day‐to‐day life (Pasley, Petren, & Fish, ; Stryker & Burke, ), same‐sex couples must navigate these issues in the absence (for the most part) of the sex‐ and gender‐based, institutionalized caregiving roles for each parent (Biblarz & Savci, ; Goldberg & Perry‐Jenkins, ; Hequembourg, ; Tasker, ). At the same time, potential tensions between the increased specialization in division of labor between partners during the transition to parenthood and the prevailing egalitarian ethics in many same‐sex relationships (Dunne, ; Goldberg, ; Horne & Biss, ; Kurdek, ) may pose further challenges for new same‐sex coparents.…”