Symposia
LGBQT+
Cindy B. Veldhuis, Ph.D.
Columbia University
New York, New York
Background. Stable and positive relationships are salubrious and provide buffers against stressors. Queer women (e.g., lesbian, bisexual, pansexual, asexual) face unique stressors related to their marginalized statuses. These acute and chronic minority stressors have negative impacts on women’s same-gender relationships and may lead to lower relationship satisfaction, increased conflict—and even relationship dissolution. The strain of stressful relationships may be disproportionately detrimental to queer women given that relationship stress may compound effects of marginalization and stigma. Understanding stressors and strains in queer women’s relationships is key to helping couples create buffers against stress. Using a novel mixed-methods approach, we will simultaneously examine individual- and couple-level stressors among women in same-gender relationships.
Methods. Data come from the SOQIR study (Study on Queer Intimate Relationships; recruitment ongoing), a study of diversewomen in same-gender relationships. Qualitative interviews are conducted with couples (N = 50 couples) and with each member of the couple separately. Couple interviews use a modified version of LeBlanc and Frost’s Relationship Timeline Method—in which couples jointly create a timeline of their relationships—to examine key stressors across their relationships. Following timeline interviews, partners are interviewed separately using semi-structured interviews to better understand each individual’s experiences and perceptions.
Results. Data collection is currently underway and will be completed by August 2022. We will analyze qualitative data and timeline data in concert to examine stressors across queer women’s relationships. Preliminary findings suggest high levels of stress that may have deleterious effects on relationships. Unique stressors include discrete levels of outness/concealment, familial stress, and the compounding impacts of such sources of oppression as racism, sexism, cissexism, and heterosexism.
Discussion. In the U.S., almost half of queer women are in cohabiting/married relationships, but little research has focused on these relationships. However, queer women’s relationships exist within a broader context of oppression and multitudinous individual- and couple-level stressors that have unique impacts on each member of the couple—and the couple itself. Our findings amplify a need for more relationship-related research and highlight important areas for both individual- and couple-level interventions.