Minority Stress and Same‐Sex Relationship Satisfaction: The Role of Concealment Motivation

Abstract

Most lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) people want a stable, satisfying romantic relationship. Although many of the predictors of relationship outcomes are similar to those of heterosexual couples, same-sex couples face some additional challenges associated with minority stress that also impact upon relationship quality. Here, we investigate the association between minority stressors and relationship quality in a sample of 363 adults (M age = 30.37, SD = 10.78) currently in a same-sex romantic relationship. Internalized homophobia and difficulties accepting one's LGB identity were each negatively associated with relationship satisfaction via heightened concealment motivation. We also examined the protective role of identity affirmation on relationship quality, finding a direct positive relationship between the two variables. Minority stressors were negatively associated with couple relationship satisfaction via heightened concealment motivation. The finding that identity affirmation directly predicted increased couple satisfaction also highlights the important role of protective factors in same-sex couple relationships.

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

“…With regard to our first hypothesis, although perceived discrimination and relationship satisfaction correlated significantly with one another, this association was no longer significant after controlling for the mediator variable (dyadic stress). This is broadly consistent with prior research, which demonstrated that minority stressors do not directly impact relationship satisfaction (Kamen et al, 2011;Pepping et al, 2019). This could be explained in several ways.…”

“…Therefore, identifying the risk mechanisms of relationship satisfaction has important clinical and social implications not only for individual health, but also for relational health. Relatively few studies have investigated the mechanisms underlying the potential influence of relationship satisfaction in LGB romantic relationships (Pepping et al, 2019;Song et al, 2020).…”

LGBQ+ Self-Acceptance and Its Relationship with Minority Stressors and Mental Health: A Systematic Literature Review

“…One of the proposed mechanisms for the relationship between heterosexist stigma experiences and adverse mental well-being is that the internalization of negative attitudes impairs LGBQ+ individuals' selfacceptance of their sexual orientation (Elizur & Mintzer, 2001;Meyer, 2003). Consistent with this suggestion, cross-sectional studies with LGBQ+ individuals have found that more experiences and internalization of minority stressors are associated with lower self-acceptance of sexuality, and that lower selfacceptance is associated with greater psychological distress (Pepping, Cronin, Halford, & Lyons, 2018;Shilo, Antebi, & Mor, 2015;Woodford, Kulick, Sinco, & Hong, 2014;Yanykin & Nasledov, 2017). Correspondingly, there is some evidence that self-acceptance of sexuality may mediate the relationship between heterosexist victimization and mental health using cross-sectional data (Hershberger & D'Augelli, 1995;Woodford et al, 2014).…”

“… − + + + − ? + 6 4 1 11 Pepping et al ( 2018 ) + + − + − − + − + + − + + + + + + + ? + 6 3 5 14 Riggle et al ( 2009 ) + + − + + + − + + + + + ?…”

“…It has been suggested that internalized heterosexism often contributes to poor self-acceptance, and this in turn is associated with increased concealment of sexuality (e.g., Elizur & Mintzer, 2001;Meyer, 2003). Furthermore, it is suggested that attempting disclosure within a heterosexist environment can have a negative impact on self-acceptance, whereas disclosure to supportive and accepting others can facilitate access to affirmative and supportive experiences, thus improving self-acceptance (Elizur & Mintzer, 2001;Pepping et al, 2018;Pitoňák, 2017). This would be consistent with the (Leserman et al, 1994); Gay Identity Questionnaire, Acceptance of Homosexuality Subscale (Brady & Busse, 1994); MIHI-SAS = Modified Mayfield Internalized Homonegativity Inventory, Self-Acceptance Subscale (Yanykin & Nasledov, 2017); SAQ = Self-Acceptance Questionnaire (Elizur & Mintzer, 2001).…”