Feedback Between Psychological Science and Policy in the Context of Same-Sex Couples

Abstract

Psychological science informed recent policy changes granting increased rights for same-sex couples. Understanding that the link between science and policy goes both ways, how should policy inform the next generation of research concerning same-sex couples and sexual minority individuals? This article presents ways that psychological research influenced marriage policy and then puts forth suggestions for future research for the attention of scholars, funders, and policymakers. These include examinations of minority stress in the age of marriage equality; new stressors for same-sex couples including legal divorce; relationship expectations and experiences for emerging adults; and the potential impact of marriage equality for mixed-sex couples including a further challenge to strict gender roles in marriage. The article ends by acknowledging the need for continued application of research to emerging policy questions affecting same-sex couples and sexual minority individuals.

How stigma gets “in between”: Associations between changes in perceived stigma, closeness discrepancies, and relationship satisfaction among same‐sex couples

“…Clinical and counseling efforts can potentially be targeted at the interface between stigma and closeness discrepancies in order to reduce the negative impact of stigma on relationship quality among same-sex couples. However, continued attention to the changing policy and attitudinal climate is necessary in order to understand how more inclusive policy and attitudes toward same-sex relationships do or do not translate to improved lived experience and individual and relational outcomes for members of same-sex couples (Fingerhut & Frost, 2020). random or probability-based and therefore the sample is not representative of same-sex couples in the general population.…”

“…This research therefore provides important extensions to previous research on stigma, minority stress, and relational well‐being among same‐sex couples (e.g., Cao et al., 2017; Doyle & Molix, 2015; Rostosky & Riggle, 2017) by offering a potential explanation for how stigma “gets in between” partners in same‐sex couples thereby diminishing the quality of their romantic relationships. Future attention to how these processes persist or diminish in a rapidly changing social and policy climate should be a priority for future research on stigma and same‐sex relationships (Fingerhut & Frost, 2020; LeBlanc & Frost, 2020; Meyer, 2016).…”