Relationship satisfaction in lesbian, gay, and bisexual people: the roles of outness, sexual identity evaluation, and general social support

Using identity process theory, this study examines the effects of outness, sexual identity evaluation variables, and general social support upon relationship satisfaction in partnered lesbian, gay and bisexual people. Cross-sectional correlational survey data from 179 lesbian, gay, and bisexual people in the United Kingdom, analyzed using hierarchical multiple regression, showed that age and sexual identity uncertainty were negatively, and sexual identity affirmation and general social support positively, associated with relationship satisfaction. Outness ceased to be a statistically significant predictor when the sexual identity evaluation variables were inserted in the model. Sexual identity threat ceased to be a statistically significant predictor when general social support was inserted in the model. Therapeutic interventions for enhancing relationship satisfaction should focus on supporting the development of a sexual identity characterized by positive meaning and value, rather than coming out per se, and facilitate access to general social support.