Identity and relationship-based discrimination, and mental health in a sample of sexual minority male couples

Abstract

Purpose

The study explored the unique associations of individual identity-based discrimination and relationship-based discrimination with mental health among sexual minority male couples. It also examined whether couples’ relationship functioning moderated associations between relationship-based discrimination, the experience of one’s romantic relationship being devalued, and mental health outcomes.

Methods

Baseline dyadic data drawn from a clinical trial involving 70 couples (N = 140) were analyzed using Actor-Partner Interdependence Modeling. The sample consisted of sexual minority men, of which 54.3% identified as a person of color. Each partner completed the computerized survey independently. Data were collected using the Relationship Marginalization Scale, Dyadic Adjustment Scale, Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7, and Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale-Revised scales.

Results

Dyadic adjustment moderated (i.e., buffered against) the association between relationship-based discrimination and depressive symptoms. The effects appeared to follow an intra-individual pattern (B_ACTOR = −0.06, p = .048 and B_PARTNER = −0.07, p = .030). The interaction terms predicting anxiety yielded non-significant results.

Conclusions

The current research suggests that dyadic functioning buffers against the effects of stigma. These findings point to the potential utility of interventions to improve relationship functioning into interventions addressing stigma among partnered sexual minority men.

Keywords:

• Couples
• stigma
• relationships
• and depression
• discrimination

Conflict of interest

No competing financial interests exist.

Disclaimer

This is a secondary analysis which was conducted with data collected at Hunter College of the City University of New York.

Ethics Statement

None.

Additional information

Funding

We Test was supported by a grant from the National Institute of Drug Abuse (R34DA036419; PI Starks). Data analysis was supported by a grant from the National Institute of Drug Abuse (R34 DA043422; PI Starks). Dr. Robles effort was supported by a Research Supplement to Promote Diversity in Health-Related Research funded by the National Institute of Drug Abuse (R01DA045613-01S; PI-Starks, Awardee-Robles).