Satisfaction in Lesbian Relationships

Peplau, Letitia Anne; Padesky, Christine A.; Hamilton, Mykol C.

doi:10.1300/j082v08n02_04

Cited by 66 publications

(51 citation statements)

References 9 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…In 1978, gay, lesbian, and heterosexual couples were compared on a measure of "marital" adjustment, and no distinguishable differences were found between the groups 28 . Other research has found similar results, with gay and lesbian relationships having no significant differences in relationship satisfaction, compared to heterosexuals 8,27 . When it comes to relationship commitment, there is less extant research, but that which has been done does not suggest either more or less commitment in homosexual couples, and it is likely that emotional qualities related to relationship commitment are similar in both heterosexual and homosexual couples 5,12,19,26 .…”

Section: Introductionsupporting

confidence: 58%

Perceptions of Positive Relationship Traits in Gay and Lesbian Couples

Skinner

Goodfriend

2009

Journal of Homosexuality

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

Section: Introductionsupporting

confidence: 58%

Perceptions of Positive Relationship Traits in Gay and Lesbian Couples

Skinner

Goodfriend

2009

Journal of Homosexuality

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Additionally, lesbian couples may have less social support from non-accepting friends and family, which may result in decreased relationship satisfaction (Peplau, Padesky, & Hamilton, 1982). However, as a general rule, speculations of decreased relationship satisfaction have not been supported (Duffy & Rusbult, 1985;Peplau, 1991).…”

Section: Mesosystem Levelmentioning

confidence: 99%

Ecological Models of Sexual Satisfaction among Lesbian/Bisexual and Heterosexual Women

2008

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Sexual satisfaction is an integral component of sexual health and well-being, yet we know little about which factors contribute to it among lesbian/bisexual women. To examine a proposed ecological model of sexual satisfaction, we conducted an internet survey of married heterosexual women and lesbian/bisexual women in committed same-sex relationships. Structural equation modeling included five final latent variables for heterosexual women and seven final latent variables for lesbian/bisexual women. Overall, results indicated that, for both groups of women, a similar constellation of factors (depressive symptoms, relationship satisfaction, sexual functioning, and social support) was related to sexual satisfaction. In lesbian/bisexual women, internalized homophobia was an additional factor. Contrary to expectations, the presence of children in the home and a history of childhood sexual abuse did not contribute significantly to the model for either group. Findings support the idea that gender socialization may influence sexual satisfaction more than socialization around sexual orientation. Additionally, given that for both groups of women relationship satisfaction explained a substantial amount of variance in sexual satisfaction, sexual concerns may be better addressed at the relationship than the individual level.

show abstract

“…Some of these factors include: (a) 42% to 75% live together as partners (Peplau & Amaro, 1982;Harry, 1983); (b) lesbians, as women, have access to fewer resources, particularly to financial resources, and are likely to have children living with them (Eldridge, 1987a); (c) role flexibility and turn taking is a common pattern in lesbian couples living together (Peplau, 1982); (d) 77% of the lesbians said that their lover had become their closest friend (Vetere, 1982); (e) living too far apart was a major factor in 19% of the break-ups and a minor factor in 16.7% of the break-ups (Peplau, Padesky, & Hamilton, 1982); (f) when one partner moves for a job in another part of the country, there are few resources to actively help her partner find a job; and (g) this sets up a stressful and nonsupportive situation for the couple. It can be a lonely and isolating situation for both partners, especially because their relationship is a hidden one to the majority of society.…”

Section: Dual-career Issues For Lesbiansmentioning

confidence: 99%

Career Counseling and Life Planning With Lesbian Women

Hetherington¹,

Orzek

1989

Jour of Counseling & Develop

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The psychological development and "coming out" process of lesbian women are examined with regard to career planning. The interaction of these issues with a model of lesbian identity provides a framework for career counselors who work with individuals or lesbian couples. F reud contended that the basic requirements of human existence are love and work. For women who are blending a lesbian life-style and a career, there are particular considerations that need to be examined before these requirements can be met. Both the "coming out" process and career planning entail various stages, neither of which follows a precise timetable for duration or age appropriateness. As they proceed through the career decision-making process, lesbian women may be influenced by different environmental, social, and intrapsychic factors than are heterosexual women. The purpose of this article is to examine how the psychological development and "coming out" process of lesbian women affect their career choices. The issues of dual careers and the implications of these concerns for counselors will also be discussed.Despite the stereotypes held by the general public concerning vocational choices of lesbian women, few empirical studies have focused on their career decision-making process. Etringer, Hetherington, and Hillerbrand (in press) surveyed lesbian, gay, and heterosexual college students on career decision making. Lesbian women showed the least amount of uncertainty, but lesbian women and heterosexual men were the most satisfied with their career choices. The reality of earning a living may be more apparent to lesbian women than to heterosexual women in college; thus, without the benefit of a possible male wage earner, lesbian women must be more seriously committed to work. Lesbian women may need to be more aware of their earning power than are heterosexual women, because it is likely that they will support themselves alone or with another woman. They will be unable to rely on the earning power of a man and men, on the average, earn 64% more than women do. In a study conducted by Sang (1977), those women who identified themselves as lesbians in adulthood assumed that they would be self-supporting from an early age. As a result, they may have chosen male-dominated careers in order to be more self-supportive.

show abstract

Satisfaction in Lesbian Relationships

Cited by 66 publications

References 9 publications

Perceptions of Positive Relationship Traits in Gay and Lesbian Couples

Perceptions of Positive Relationship Traits in Gay and Lesbian Couples

Ecological Models of Sexual Satisfaction among Lesbian/Bisexual and Heterosexual Women

Career Counseling and Life Planning With Lesbian Women

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About