Observed Communication and Relationship Quality in Female Same-Gender Couples

Publication Date

9-2019

Document Type

Article

Organizational Units

College of Arts Humanities and Social Sciences, Psychology

Keywords

Communication, Lesbians, Same-sex couples, Sexual orientation, Relationship quality

Abstract

Relationship interventions typically focus on reducing destructive communication patterns between partners. However, a dearth of research exists regarding communication dynamics within female same-gender (FSG) couples. The current study sought to expand basic science on communication dynamics within FSG couples with the overarching goal of informing relationship interventions. Participants included 102 adult FSG couples who provided self-report data and participated in observational communication tasks. Actor–partner interdependence models (Kenny, Kashy, & Cook, 2006) were used for analyses predicting relationship adjustment, dedication, and psychological aggression. Findings suggest that actors’ negative and positive communication patterns were associated with relationship quality outcomes. Negative communication demonstrated stronger associations with relationship quality and psychological aggression compared with positive communication, and partner’s positive communication was associated with psychological aggression. Overall, results suggest that communication processes traditionally addressed by relationship interventions would likely be beneficial to focus on with FSG couples. Clinical implications are discussed, including how to incorporate cultural competence into relationship interventions for FSG couples.

Copyright Date

5-24-2019

Copyright Statement / License for Reuse

All Rights Reserved
All Rights Reserved.

Rights Holder

American Psychological Association

Provenance

Received from CHORUS

Language

English (eng)

Publication Statement

Copyright is held by the American Psychological Association. User is responsible for all copyright compliance. This article was originally published as:

Scott, S. B., Rhoades, G. K., & Markman, H. J. (2019). Observed communication and relationship quality in female same-gender couples. Couple and Family Psychology: Research and Practice, 8(3), 137–151. https://doi.org/10.1037/cfp0000121

Publication Title

Couple and Family Psychology: Research and Practice

Volume

8

Issue

3

First Page

137

Last Page

151

ISSN

2160-410X

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