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Outness and relationship satisfaction in same‐gender couples
Author(s) -
Knoble Naomi B.,
Linville Deanna
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
journal of marital and family therapy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.868
H-Index - 68
eISSN - 1752-0606
pISSN - 0194-472X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1752-0606.2010.00206.x
Subject(s) - psychology , lesbian , sexual orientation , identity (music) , social psychology , sexual identity , developmental psychology , human sexuality , gender studies , sociology , psychoanalysis , physics , acoustics
Self‐disclosure of sexual orientation, or outness, is a fundamental feature of gay, lesbian, and bisexual (GLB) experience, yet little is known about how outness impacts same‐gender relationship satisfaction. Through a qualitative analysis of interviews with 15 same‐gender couples, the complexities of navigating a stigmatized identity in a homonegative society emerged, including (a) characteristics of outness, (b) the influence of coupling on an individual’s outness, and (c) the impact of outness on same‐gender relationship satisfaction. Findings suggest that for GLB persons, outness is a developmental skill, an expression of identity and values, as well as a resilience strategy for managing discrimination and gay‐related stress that influences, though does not singularly determine, relationship satisfaction. Implications for clinical practice and future research suggestions are presented.