Examining the Link Between Gender Minority Stress and Relationship Instability in TGD Relationships: Testing Problem-Solving Communication as a Moderator

Abstract

The experiences of stigma and discrimination faced by the transgender and gender diverse (TGD) community are well-understood through minority stress theory (MST), which suggests that stigmatized groups encounter additional environmental stressors unique to their minority identities (Hendricks & Testa, 2012; Meyer, 2013; Pellicane & Ciesla, 2022). While research substantiates that higher levels of gender minority stress (GMS) are associated with increased mental health outcomes (i.e., depressive symptoms; Do et al., 2022; Choo et al., 2023; Conn et al., 2023), less is known about how minority stress is linked to relationship outcomes, despite work connecting depression to relationship functioning (e.g., Marital Discord Model of Depression; Beach et al., 1990). Utilizing a sample of 308 gender diverse adults in romantic relationships, the present study examines linkages between minority stress, depressive symptoms, and relationship instability in a moderated mediation framework with problem-solving communication as the moderator. In order to increase confidence in the results, several important covariates were included (race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, age, and socioeconomic status), and alternative models were explored. Results indicated a moderate and positive direct effect from gender minority stress to relationship instability, a strong positive indirect effect from MST to depressive symptoms, and a moderate positive indirect from depressive symptoms to relationship instability. Results indicated that higher levels of problem-solving communication buffered the negative association of GMS on depressive symptoms, thus indirectly decreasing the association with relationship instability. However, problem-solving communication did not significantly moderate the direct relationship between GMS and relationship instability and the indirect effect of depressive symptoms on relationship instability, indicating the need for further investigation for effective interventions.