Category: Couples / Close Relationships
Nicholas Perry, Ph.D.
Research assistant professor
University of Denver
Denver, Colorado
Shelby Scott, Ph.D.
University of Texas at San Antonio
San Antonio, Texas
Sarah Whitton, Ph.D.
Professor
University of Cincinnati
Cincinnati, Ohio
Nicholas Perry, Ph.D.
Research assistant professor
University of Denver
Denver, Colorado
Shelby Scott, Ph.D.
University of Texas at San Antonio
San Antonio, Texas
Kate Dorrell, B.S.
PhD Student
Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science
North Chicago, Illinois
Elissa Sarno, Ph.D.
Research Assistant Professor
Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine
Chicago, Illinois
Michael Newcomb, Ph.D. (he/him/his)
Associate Professor
Northwestern University
Chicago, Illinois
The COVID-19 pandemic continues to exacerbate mental health disparities and structural inequities among sexual and gender minority (SGM) populations and has deeply underscored the need for robust scientific research on how SGM populations cope with external stress. Minority stress theory provides a framework for understanding how proximal and distal stressors associated with having an SGM identity may affect health and romantic relationship quality, while relationship science suggests that positive romantic and intimate relationships may buffer against the deleterious effects of minority stress in SGM populations. Given that associations between minority stress and poorer relationship functioning are now broadly established, it is important to advance the field by more closely exploring nuances of how minority stress may manifest in sexual and gender minority (SGM) relationships, its impact on relationship functioning and health outcomes, how couples may better cope to reduce the negative effect of these stressors, and how basic science research may translate into evidence-based interventions for SGM populations. To address these gaps, this symposium will present research on minority stress within SGM relationships and across methodological designs, including qualitative, cross-sectional, longitudinal, and relationship intervention implementation. These findings have important implications for advancing our understanding of minority stress in SGM relationships with an emphasis on how these findings translate to cognitive-behavioral relationship interventions for this population.
The multi-method data presented in this symposium uniquely span the spectrum of translational science in SGM relationship health. First, Presenter 1 will present qualitative data on relationship formation and the role of minority stress and cultural factors in shaping early romantic relationship formation among cisgender sexual minority couples. Presenter 2 will then present mixed-methods data on perceptions of romantic partner support across gender transition among transgender and nonbinary individuals. Presenter 3 will present data on how minority stress experiences differ for bi+ (bisexual, pansexual, queer) individuals depending on one’s partner’s sexual orientation. Presenter 4 will present longitudinal data among sexual and gender minority adults assigned female sex at birth. These data examine, over time, how minority stress differentially affects relationship functioning in this sample depending on partner gender. Finally, Presenter 5 will present promising outcome data from a randomized controlled trial of an affirmative relationship education and HIV risk reduction program for young male couples. Our Discussant, an expert in sexual minority relationship science and cognitive-behavioral interventions for this population, will synthesize findings across these studies and suggest future directions for cognitive behavioral science to leverage relationship strengths and reduce relationship risks among SGM populations.
Presenter: Nicholas Perry, Ph.D. – University of Denver
Co-author: Alyssa Norris, Ph.D. – Alpert Medical School of Brown University
Co-author: Galena K. Rhoades, Ph.D. – University of Denver
Presenter: Shelby B. Scott, Ph.D. – University of Texas at San Antonio
Co-author: Lex Pulice-Farrow, M.A. – University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Co-author: Quyen A. Do, M.Ed. – University of Texas at San Antonio
Co-author: Bryanna Garibay, PhD – University of Texas at San Antonio
Co-author: Kimberly Balsam, PhD – University of Palo Alto
Presenter: Kate Dorrell, B.S. – Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science
Co-author: Isabel K. Benjamin, PhD – Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science
Co-author: Christina Dyar, Ph.D. – The Ohio State University
Co-author: Joanne Davila, Ph.D. – Stony Brook University
Co-author: Brian Feinstein, Ph.D. – Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science
Presenter: Elissa L. Sarno, Ph.D. – Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine
Co-author: Michael E. Newcomb, Ph.D. – Northwestern University
Co-author: Sarah Whitton, Ph.D. – University of Cincinnati
Presenter: Michael E. Newcomb, Ph.D. – Northwestern University
Co-author: Kathryn Macapagal, Ph.D. – Northwestern University
Co-author: Elissa L. Sarno, Ph.D. – Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine
Co-author: Sarah Whitton, Ph.D. – University of Cincinnati
Co-author: Brian Mustanski, Ph.D. – Northwestern University