Predictors and outcomes of LGB individuals’ sexual orientation disclosure to heterosexual romantic partners

Li, Yachao; Samp, Jennifer A.

doi:10.1080/00909882.2020.1849769

Cited by 11 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 51 publications

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“…Research on intersectionality (LeBlanc et al, 2015;Parent et al, 2013) also indicates that partnered LGBTQ people of color experience heightened minority stress at both individual (e.g., racism) and couple levels (e.g., heteronormativity), making it harder to engage in constructive relational behaviors and receive social support that are associated with wellfunctioning romantic relationships (Pietromonaco & Overall, 2020). Moreover, higher internalized homophobia has been related to lower relationship quality (LeBlanc et al, 2015;Li & Samp, 2021). People with higher internalized homophobia often feel less confident about their relationships and are less likely to engage in honest and open conversations with same-sex partners (Li & Samp, 2019b).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Moreover, same-sex partners experience unique personal vulnerabilities, one of which is internalized homophobia. Li and Samp (2021) found that internalized homophobia is negatively related to mental health outcomes and relationship satisfaction among same-sex couples. Compared to lesbian or gay people, bisexual individuals are also at elevated risk for mental health disorders because they violate the social norms of monosexism and face discrimination within the LGBTQ community (Horwitz et al, 2020).…”

Section: Individual and Contextual Vulnerabilitiesmentioning

confidence: 98%

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The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on same-sex couples’ conflict avoidance, relational quality, and mental health

Samp

2021

Journal of Social and Personal Relationships

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The COVID-19 pandemic has seriously impacted the management and trajectory of same-sex relationships. This study considered the mediational role of same-sex partners’ conflict avoidance and the moderating roles of individual and contextual vulnerability factors in the face of the pandemic. Results showed that greater adverse daily life impacts and higher perceived threat of COVID-19 predicted more complaint avoidance, which in turn predicted lower relationship satisfaction and higher anxiety, depression, and substance use. Being a person of color and having higher internalized homophobia exacerbated the pandemic’s negative effects on relationship satisfaction. While moving in with partners during the pandemic was related to more complaint avoidance, lower relational satisfaction, higher relationship termination intentions, and greater mental health risks, it also buffered the negative effects of the pandemic on relational well-being. Same-sex couples are encouraged to constructively solve relational issues and actively discuss moving in decisions. More efforts should be devoted to understanding multiple pandemic-related stressors facing same-sex couples.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Individual and Contextual Vulnerabilitiesmentioning

confidence: 98%

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on same-sex couples’ conflict avoidance, relational quality, and mental health

Samp

2021

Journal of Social and Personal Relationships

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“…For example, if individuals have the desire to maintain their heterosexual relationship, they may less likely come out to their partner or they disclose less information to minimize effect on their functioning relationship. But also, reactions, challenges, and themes of either one or both spouses (e.g., Hays and Samuels, 1989;Duffey, 2006;Li and Samp, 2021) following a coming out later in life, supporting and obstructive factors for MOM that decided to stay together (Buxton, 2000(Buxton, , 2004Schwartz, 2012), as well as strategies that are pursued by these couples (e.g., Buxton, 2000Buxton, , 2004Wolkomir, 2009) have been in the focus of research. In general, there are different positive communicative behaviors in coming out conversations, such as direct affirmation, laughter, and joking, just as negative behaviors such as nervous non-verbal behavior, indirectly approaching the topic, expressing denial, religious talk, inappropriate questions, and shaming and aggressive statements (Manning, 2015).…”

Section: Reactions Of Spouses and Children Following Coming Out Later...mentioning

confidence: 99%

Reactions and Feelings to a Close Relative’s Coming Out in a Heterosexual Relationship

2022

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Which different feelings and reactions do different family members show if an adult family member who has long been perceived as heterosexual discloses their sexual identity as lesbian, gay, or bisexual (LGB)? Previous studies have investigated reactions of spouses and sometimes children in the United States. This article describes the findings of qualitative interviews and a German-language quantitative survey (N = 188) in which family members were asked about their emotions, experiences during the coming out process, and their use of support options. The samples were recruited via different LGB+ online forums and organizations in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland (age M = 44.08). The results demonstrate that a coming out after years of a heterosexual biography and family life affects adults’ parents and siblings in addition to spouses and children. Siblings were perceived as a supportive group of family members showing calm and mostly positive reactions. Parents mainly reported surprise but also showed on the one hand interest in supporting their children in the coming out process; on the other hand, we find also evidence for negative reactions including rejecting behavior. Children’s coping and well-being depended on the time that had passed since the coming out and their age at the time of the coming out. Spouses felt shocked, angry, and the ground was pulled from under their feet. Comparing the perspectives of these groups of family members, differences between them, and their specific needs are discussed. Practical implications are derived from the support options mentioned, and range from information from books, the internet to professional advice. Spouses report the need of diverse support options, whereas other family members ask friends and other family members for support. Forums, counseling and the possibility to exchange were perceived as a support but were more accessible for women than for men. They provide the chance for a communicative exchange before the stress becomes too strong.

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“…However, other studies showed that personal sense of power positively predicts sexual fulfillment and general relationship quality in heterosexual relationships ( Körner & Schütz, 2021 ). In the context of mixed-orientation relationships, relational power is also positively associated with relationship satisfaction ( Li & Samp, 2021b ). In a study of rural Chinese married couples, wives who scored higher on sexual relationship power are more satisfied with their sexual life than those with lower power ( Lau et al, 2006 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The impact of COVID-19-related anti-Asian discrimination on sexual communication and relationships among Asian individuals in the United States

Samp

2022

Journal of Social and Personal Relationships

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Asian individuals in the United States have experienced heightened racial discrimination during the COVID-19 pandemic, which may reduce positive relationship processes and damage intimate relationships, including their sexual behaviors and quality. Guided by the chilling effect and Interpersonal Exchange Model of Sexual Satisfaction, this study explores how COVID-19-related anti-Asian discrimination moderates the relationships between sexual relationship power, sexual self-disclosure, and sexual satisfaction. Results ( N = 294 partnered Asian adults) showed that as racial discrimination increased, the positive relationship between sexual relationship power and sexual self-disclosure decreased. As people experienced more racial discrimination, the positive effects of sexual self-disclosure on sexual satisfaction also decreased. Sexual power positively predicted sexual satisfaction via sexual communication, only when COVID-19-related discrimination was low or moderate. This study demonstrates how racial discrimination interacts with relational factors to predict Asian individuals’ sexual communication and, in turn, sexual satisfaction. More public attention and efforts should be devoted to combating anti-Asian discrimination during the pandemic and beyond.

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Predictors and outcomes of LGB individuals’ sexual orientation disclosure to heterosexual romantic partners

Cited by 11 publications

References 51 publications

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on same-sex couples’ conflict avoidance, relational quality, and mental health

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on same-sex couples’ conflict avoidance, relational quality, and mental health

Reactions and Feelings to a Close Relative’s Coming Out in a Heterosexual Relationship

The impact of COVID-19-related anti-Asian discrimination on sexual communication and relationships among Asian individuals in the United States

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