Work

Minority stress and relationship functioning among young male same-sex couples: An examination of actor–partner interdependence models.

Year: 2018

Type: article

Abstract: OBJECTIVE: In different-sex couples, individual and partner stress can both have a negative impact on relationship functioning (actor and partner effects). Gay and bisexual men experience unique stress (sexual minority stress), but few studies have examined the effects of this stress on relationship functioning among young male couples. The current study examined (a) actor and partner effects of general and minority stress (internalized stigma, microaggressions, victimization, and outness) on relationship functioning (relationship quality and negative relationship interactions), (b) interactions between individual and partner stress as predictors of relationship functioning, and (c) dyadic coping and relationship length as moderators of actor and partner effects. METHOD: Actor-partner interdependence models were tested using data from 153 young male couples. RESULTS: There was strong support for actor effects. Higher general stress and internalized stigma were associated with lower relationship quality, but only for those in longer relationships. Additionally, higher general stress, internalized stigma, and microaggressions, and lower outness, were associated with more negative relationship interactions. There was limited support for partner effects. Having a partner with higher internalized stigma was associated with more negative relationship interactions, but none of the other partner effects were significant. There was no support for individual and partner stress interacting to predict relationship functioning or for dyadic coping as a stress buffer. CONCLUSIONS: Findings highlight the influence of one's own experiences of general and minority stress on relationship functioning, but raise questions about how partner stress influences relationship functioning among young male couples. (PsycINFO Database Record

Source: Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology

DOI: 10.1037/ccp0000296

Authors: Brian A. Feinstein, Elizabeth McConnell, Christina Dyar, Brian Mustanski, Michael E. Newcomb

Institutions: Northwestern University, DePaul University, University of Cincinnati

Language: English

Topic: LGBTQ Health, Identity, and Policy

Subfield: Social Psychology

Field: Psychology

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: hybrid

Funders: Third Coast Center for AIDS Research, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases