Coping with workplace minority stress: Associations between dyadic coping and anxiety among women in same-sex relationships

ABSTRACT

Sexual minorities are exposed to stressors in the workplace (workplace minority stress), which can be detrimental for well-being (e.g., levels of anxiety). The present study examined whether a particular set of relationship processes, dyadic coping, served to moderate the association between workplace minority stress and symptoms of anxiety. Using a dyadic sample of 64 female same-sex couples, we found that partner problem-focused supportive dyadic coping (DC) and emotion-focused supportive DC (marginally) buffered, whereas partner delegated DC and negative DC did not moderate, the association between workplace minority stress and symptoms of anxiety. Implications for relationship researchers and mental health practitioners are discussed.

KEYWORDS:

• Dyadic coping
• anxiety
• minority stress
• work discrimination
• same-sex couples

Acknowledgment

The first and second authors contributed equally to the manuscript and are presented in alphabetical order.

Funding

Funding for this study was provided by the National Council on Family Relations' innovation grant.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Ashley K. Randall

Ashley K. Randall, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Counseling and Counseling Psychology at Arizona State University. Dr. Randall's research examines the role of stress and coping in close relationships. She has extensive expertise in the assessment and analysis of romantic partners' emotional processes during real-time interactions.

Casey J. Totenhagen

Casey J. Totenhagen, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Human Development and Family Studies at University of Alabama. Dr. Totenhagen's research examines the roles of stressful and uplifting events in close relationships. Her primary focus is on the stressors that couples experience, particularly on a daily basis, in different couple types.

Kelsey J. Walsh

Kelsey J. Walsh, M.C., is currently a doctoral student in Counseling Psychology at Arizona State University.

Caroline Adams

Caroline Adams is currently a master's student in Counseling Psychology at the University of Kentucky.

Chun Tao

Chun Tao, M.S., is currently a doctoral student in Counseling Psychology at Arizona State University.