Relational Factors in Understanding Satisfaction in the Lasting Relationships of Same-Sex and Heterosexual Couples

Dados Bibliográficos

ID3630488
AutoresRichard A Mackey (Boston College), Matthew A Diemer (0000-0002-4835-3716, Boston College), Bernard A O''Brien, Bernard A O'Brien (Boston College)
Ano2004
Volume47
Fascículo1
Páginas111-136
Data de publicação2004-05-19
Peer ReviewedSim
Open AccessNão
TipoARTICLE
PeriódicoJournal of Homosexuality (JOURNAL)
Identificadores do periódicoISSN: 0091-8369 • E-ISSN: 1540-3602
EditoraInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1300/j082v47n01_07
PMID15189789
OpenAlexW2081847023
IdiomaEN
Citações recebidas29
Referências citadas53

Satisfying relationships are important to the well-being of individuals and families. Because of increased longevity, many couples are staying together for extended periods of time. Thus, it is valuable to understand the factors that contribute to a sense of satisfaction among partners in lasting relationships. Relatively little attention has been paid in the research literature to relationships among older couples who have remained together for many years. Even less attention has been paid to the lasting relationships of couples of color and to gay male and lesbian couples. This paper focuses on understanding the factors that contribute to satisfaction of partners in the long-term relationships of a purposive sample of heterosexual and same-sex couples. Data was collected through in-depth interviews with 216 partners in 108 relationships that had lasted an average of 30 years. Using logistic regression analysis, two factors were identified as predictive of satisfaction during the recent years of these relationships: containment of relational conflict and psychologically intimate communication between partners. Based on these findings, a theoretical model for understanding satisfaction in lasting relationships is discussed

Developmental psychology · Lesbian · Logistic regression · Same sex · Attachment and Relationship Dynamics · Family Dynamics and Relationships · Medicine · Psychology · Psychotherapy Techniques and Applications · Social Psychology