A Model of Individual, Relationship, and Societal Factors and Mental Health and Well-Being in Partnered Sexual Minority Women: The Central Role of Relationship Satisfaction

<p>Sexual minority women (SMW) are at increased risk for mental health disorders, substance abuse, and physical health problems compared to heterosexual women. For heterosexual individuals, romantic relationships have been found to be protective against a variety of health issues. Less research, however, has focused on the association between romantic relationships and health in same-sex couples. The purpose of this study was to examine the potential protective nature of being in a relationship for SMW and to test a model investigating the central role of relationship satisfaction in the association between individual, relationship, and societal factors and mental health and well-being among young women in same-sex relationships.</p> <p>Women attracted to women were recruited from Facebook’s advertising platform based on their interests (e.g., Gay pride). In total, 665 SMW were in the final sample, including 432 partnered women and 233 single women. Participants completed an online survey consisting of measures of negative and positive sexual minority identity, social support, mental health, and well-being. Those in relationships also completed a subset of relationship-related measures. Partnered women reported better mental health (i.e., less anxiety and depression) and well-being (i.e., higher levels of self-acceptance, personal growth, environmental mastery, and purpose in life) than single women. The SEM model suggests that the Societal factor is important for the mental health and well-being of partnered SMW, with significant associations to mental health and well-being. Future research is needed to better understand the role of relationship satisfaction in the mental health and well-being of partnered SMW.</p>

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science (MS)

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Psychology

Year dc:date.available

2020

Author dc:creator

• Dawson, Charlotte A.

Contributors dc:contributor

• Robin J. Lewis
• Barbara A. Winstead
• Cathy Lau-Barraco

• Sexual minority women (SMW)
• Same-sex couples
• Health issues
• SEM model
• Clinical Psychology
• Family, Life Course, and Society
• Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Studies
• Mental and Social Health
• Social Psychology
• Women's Studies

Statement dc:rights

• <p>In Copyright. URI: <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/</a> This Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights. You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s).</p>

Identifier

9798557048088

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:digitalcommons.odu.edu:psychology_etds-1360