ABSTRACT
There has been increased interest in and attention to understanding the characteristics associated with relationship satisfaction among same-sex couples. This review examines the individual, couple, and external factors associated with relationship satisfaction among contemporary lesbian couples, highlighting domains such as internalized homophobia, personality, communication, conflict, sex, stress, and social support. I discuss methodological concerns and future directions to advance research in this area.
Acknowledgment
Joseph M. Trombello provided helpful feedback on an earlier version of this article.
Additional information
Notes on contributors
Justin A. Lavner
Justin A. Lavner is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of Georgia, where his research focuses on couple and family relationships and LGBT issues. Much of his research has examined how couples' relationship satisfaction changes over time and the factors that predict these changes. He is also interested in relationship processes among LGBT individuals throughout the lifespan, including LGBT adolescents and their parents, same-sex couples, and the children of same-sex parents. He earned his Ph.D. in Psychology from the University of California, Los Angeles.