A Marital First Responders Workshop for Confidants to Queer Relationships: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

This study is the first to examine confiding about problems in marital and long-term committed relationships among lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) individuals. Areas explored included the prevalence of confiding relationships, the kinds of problems brought to confidant, and degree of stress confidants experience in this role. Prevalence data were presented both for a national sample of 301 LGBT individuals and in comparison with a nationally representative sample of 1,000 American adults. Findings showed a high prevalence of being a confidant among LGBT respondents, greater than in the general population, and a lower prevalence of being a confider. Of particular interest was the finding of a high degree of support that LGBT individuals provide to heterosexual relationships through the role of confidant. Relationship problems discussed with LGBT confidants were similar to those in the general population, as was the level of stress reported by confidants.

Keywords:

• GLBT
• marriage
• confiding relationship
• community intervention
• same-sex marriage

Notes

1 Cisgender is the term ascribed to those whose gender presentation matches the sex that they were assigned at birth and believe themselves to be. This would be different than transgender.