Work

Measurement Opportunities for Studying Sexual and Gender Diverse Partnerships in Recent Population-based Surveys

Year: 2023

Type: preprint

Abstract: Objective: This article outlines for family scholars and researchers designing surveys or searching for data on sexual and gender-diverse families the latest methodological advancements in United States population-based surveys for studying sexual and gender-diverse partnerships by reviewing five recently collected, publicly available, population-representative datasets.Background: LGBTQIA+ adults and sexual and gender-diverse partnerships are an expanding demographic group in the United States. Yet, measurement limitations have restricted studies of these partnerships that use population-based studies. To address this issue, researchers designing population-representative data collections have adopted new strategies to measure sexual and gender-diverse partnerships accurately. However, most population representative surveys continue to lack data on growing segments of the LGBTQIA+ population by relying solely on the sex of partners or limited sexual and gender identity measures.Conclusion: We recommend expanding population-based surveys to incorporate inclusive measures of sexual and gender identity, directly asking about the gender composition of a couple and measurement of cohabiting and other nonmarital relationships. These approaches are especially important for understanding relationships among younger individuals who do not follow heteronormative relationship trajectories and hold diverse gender and sexual identities.Implications: Although the research opportunities on SGD individuals and partnerships are expanding; researchers must remain mindful of the limitations of current data sets and advocate for updates to the United States population data infrastructure.

DOI: 10.31235/osf.io/ve6rb

Authors: Christopher Julian, Wendy Manning, Claire M Kamp Dush

Institutions: Bowling Green State University, University of Minnesota

Language: English

Topic: LGBTQ Health, Identity, and Policy

Subfield: Social Psychology

Field: Psychology

Domain: Social Sciences

SDGs: Reduced inequalities, Gender equality

Open Access status: gold

Funders: Bowling Green State University, University of Minnesota, Minnesota Population Center, University of Minnesota, National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development

Awards: G1022554174, G114873732, G1171249779, G1473686163, G2143573256, G319658145, G3878296197

OpenAlex ID: W4375864649

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