Spouses in mixed-orientation marriage: A 20-year review of empirical studies

Abstract

Empirical studies on mixed-orientation marriage in social science journals from 1988 to 2008 were reviewed. Fifteen articles published in eight peer-reviewed journals were identified and discussed in terms of sampling, design, measures, rigor, theoretical framework, and literature review. An overview of each study is provided along with a summary of critical findings. Implications and recommendations for future research and education are offered.

Same-Sex Sexuality and the Duration of First Different-Sex Marriages

“…Therefore, in supplemental analyses, we distinguish current bisexual attraction and identity, but not behavior, and use these indicators as independent variables to assess whether individuals who experience some aspects of different-sex sexuality, alongside same-sex sexuality, have shorter or longer marital duration, on average, than individuals who experience only different-or same-sex sexuality, respectively. As noted in the literature review above, qualitative evidence suggests that those with bisexual attractions and/or identities may be better able to maintain their marriages for longer durations (e.g., Buxton 2001Buxton , 2004aBuxton , 2004bEdser and Shea 2002;Hernandez et al 2011). …”

“…Still, some individuals who report same-sex sexuality have at some point contracted a different-sex marriage. Although it is possible that both spouses experience same-sex sexuality in some of these marriages (i.e., both spouses may be bisexual), it is more likely that most are what scholars generally term "mixedorientation marriages" (e.g., Buxton 1994;Hernandez, Schwenke, and Wilson 2011). That is, most are marriages in which one spouse is exclusively sexually oriented toward different-sex individuals, while the other spouse is at least partially, if not exclusively, oriented toward individuals of the same sex.…”

“…Although mixed-orientation marriages involving a bisexual spouse can and do survive, heterosexual spouses may worry about their inability to satisfy all of their bisexual spouse's sexual wants and may not fully trust that their spouse will remain faithful. In such circumstances, individuals in mixed-orientation marriages often try to communicate more frequently and more openly in order to maintain the marriage (see Buxton 2001Buxton , 2004aBuxton , 2004bHernandez et al 2011), but this causes additional stress that may lead couples to divorce more quickly.…”

“…Furthermore, most reported feeling little to no sense of loss being in a monogamous different-sex marriage, and 90% reported investing in and working to improve their marriage (Edser and Shea 2002). Mixed-orientation marriages in which one spouse is bisexually-identified are more likely to last in large part because it is possible for the couple to maintain their mutual attraction and to continue having a satisfying sex life (Buxton 2001(Buxton , 2004a(Buxton , 2004bHernandez et al 2011). For these reasons, it is important for research on mixed-orientation marriages to distinguish between persons who are sexually oriented toward both sexes and persons who are exclusively oriented toward individuals of the same sex.…”

“…As Higgins (2002:28) explains, these individuals marry because they believe different-sex marriage is natural and normal rather than as a strategy to avoid penalty or sanction for their sexuality. Also, it is worth noting that individuals who are bisexual in their attractions, behaviors and/or identity are especially likely to cite such reasons for marrying (Buxton 2001(Buxton , 2004a(Buxton , 2004bHernandez et al 2011). …”