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

• Published date: 01 June 2019
• Author: Timothy J. Cronin,Anthony Lyons,W. Kim Halford,Christopher A. Pepping
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.1111/famp.12365
• Date: 01 June 2019

Minority Stress and Same-Sex Relationship

Satisfaction: The Role of Concealment Motivation

CHRISTOPHER A. PEPPING*

TIMOTHY J. CRONIN*

W. KIM HALFORD

†

ANTHONY LYONS

‡

Most lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) people want a stable, satisfying romantic relation-

ship. Although many of the predictors of relationship outcomes are similar to those of

heterosexual couples, same-sex couples face some additional challenges associa ted with

minority stress that also impact upon relationship quality. Here, we investigate the associ-

ation 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.

Keywords: Sa me-Sex Couples; Internalized Homophobia; Minority Stress; Relationship

Satisfaction

Fam Proc 58:496–508, 2019

Most lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) individuals desire to have a stable, satisfying

romantic relationship (D’Augelli, Rendina, Sinclair, & Grossman, 2007; Frost,

2011). Although many of the predictors of relationship outcomes are similar to those of

heterosexual couples (e.g., Kurdek, 2004; Peplau & Fingerhut, 2007), there are some addi-

tional challenges faced by same-sex couples that impact on relationship qual ity. Specifi-

cally, ongoing exposure to stigma and societal prejudice can lead to internalized stigma

(Meyer, 2003), which undermines relationship quality (Frost & Meyer, 2009). Here, we

extend prior research by investigating associations between minority stress-related risk

and protective factors with couple satisfaction. Specifically, we tested whether internal-

ized homophobia and difficulties accepting one’s sexual orientation were negatively associ-

ated with relationship satisfaction, and whether identity affirmation was positively

associated with relationship satisfaction. Furthermore, we examined whether conceal-

ment motivation and acceptance concerns mediated these associations.

*School of Psychology and Public Health, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Vic, Australia.

†

School of Psychology, University of Queensland, St Lucia, Qld, Australia.

‡

Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health, and Society, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Vic, Australia.

Correspondence concerning this article should be addressed to Christopher A. Pepping, Department of

Psychology and Counselling, School of Psychology and Public Health, La Trobe University, Plenty Road &

Kingsbury Drive, Bundoora, Victoria, 3086, Australia. E-mail: c.pepping@latrobe.edu.au.

496

Family Process, Vol. 58, No. 2, 2019 ©2018 Family Process Institute

doi: 10.1111/famp.12365