Correlates of Same-Sex Romantic Relationship Satisfaction: The Roles of Parental Support and Outness

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to explore variables associated with romantic relationship satisfaction for members of same-sex romantic relationships. Specifically, the study explored how same-sex couple members’ romantic relationship satisfaction related to their perceived levels of general social support, perceived social support specifically for their romantic relationship from their parents, and outness. The sample included 153 individuals who were currently in a same-sex romantic relationship, were out to at least one parent about the romantic relationship, and of legal age in the state in which they lived during the time of participation in the study. Regression analysis was employed to examine the model predicting romantic relationship satisfaction. The results indicated that increased general social support was associated with increased romantic relationship satisfaction for couple members. Additionally, the results indicated that increased perceived support specifically for the romantic relationship from parents was associated with increased romantic relationship satisfaction for couple members. Outness was not found to have a moderating effect on the association between parental support for the relationship and romantic relationship satisfaction. Future research should attempt to further explore the role of outness in romantic relationship satisfaction.