LGB Service Members’ Relationship Status, Satisfaction, and Well-Being: A Brief Report

• Published date: 01 July 2023
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.1177/0095327X221098455
• Author: Elizabeth N. Savarese,Jessica Collazo,Wyatt R. Evans,Kimberly F. Balsam
• Date: 01 July 2023
• Subject Matter: Articles

https://doi.org/10.1177/0095327X221098455

Armed Forces & Society

2023, Vol. 49(3) 831 –845

© The Author(s) 2022

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DOI: 10.1177/0095327X221098455

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Article

LGB Service Members’

Relationship Status,

Satisfaction, and

Well-Being: A Brief

Report

Elizabeth N. Savarese1, Jessica Collazo1,

Wyatt R. Evans2,3 , and Kimberly F. Balsam1

Abstract

Recently, the legal landscape for sexual minorities in the United States has

changed dramatically, prompting empirical research on lesbian, gay, and bisexual

(LGB) couples and LGB service members. This study examined the relationship

characteristics and mental health of LGB service members in couple relationships

and compared partnered and single LGB service members. A total of 238 LGB

service members completed an anonymous survey, including questions about

demographics, identity, military experiences, and mental health symptoms. Results

of descriptive and exploratory analyses revealed no significant differences in mental

health between partnered and single participants. However, partnered individuals

reported higher outness and lower internalized homophobia compared with

their single counterparts. Analyses also revealed negative associations between

relationship satisfaction and mental health symptoms among partnered participants.

Among the first to examine LGB service members’ romantic relationships, the

results of this study have important clinical and policy implications and inform next

steps in researching this population.

Keywords

sexual minorities, service members, relationship satisfaction, mental health

1Palo Alto University, CA, USA

2Veterans Affairs North Texas Health Care System, Plano, TX, USA

3Department of Psychiatry, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA

Corresponding Author:

Kimberly F. Balsam, Palo Alto University, 1791 Arastradero Road, Palo Alto, CA 94304, USA.

Email: kbalsam@paloaltou.edu

1098455AFSXXX10.1177/0095327X221098455Armed Forces & SocietySavarese et al.

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