DATING AND RELATIONSHIP EXPERIENCES OF GAY AND LESBIAN COLLEGE STUDENTS PROFESSIONAL DISSERTATION SUBMITTED TO THE FACULTY OF THE SCHOOL OF PROFESSIONAL PSYCHOLOGY WRIGHT STATE UNIVERSITY BY AUBREY DAWN MORRISON, PSY.M. IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF PSYCHOLOGY Dayton, Ohio September, 2013 COMMITTEE CHAIR: Heather Wilder, Psy.D. Committee Member: Julie Williams, Psy.D., ABPP Committee Member: Daniela Burnworth, Ph.D. WRIGHT STATE UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF PROFESSIONAL PSYCHOLOGY June 12, 2012 I HEREBY RECOMMEND THAT THE DISSERTATION PREPARED UNDER MY SUPERVISION BY AUBREY D. MORRISON ENTITLED DATING AND RELATIONSHIP EXPERIENCES OF GAY AND LESBIAN COLLEGE STUDENTS BE ACCEPTED IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF PSYCHOLOGY. _______________________________________ Heather Wilder, Psy.D. Dissertation Director _______________________________________ La Pearl Logan Winfrey, Ph.D. Associate Dean Abstract In response to an identified need in the psychological literature for current research on topics related to same-sex dating and relationships, this Professional Dissertation was developed to gain a better understanding of contemporary gay and lesbian dating and intimate relationships within the college/university student population. A total of 159 self-identified gay and lesbian college/university students in the United States and Canada completed an online survey about their dating and relationship experiences. The survey was developed by the researcher based on a review of the literature and was designed to collect broad-based quantitative and qualitative data on the topic of study. Findings were compared to the literature on dating and relationships in the larger gay and lesbian population to identify points of consistency and inconsistency. Areas of strength and resiliency as well as challenges faced by gay and lesbian college/university students in this area of their lives are highlighted. Implications of the results and recommendations for helping professionals working with gay and lesbian college/ university students are discussed. Additionally, limitations of the current study are addressed and proposed directions for future research are identified. iii Table of Contents Page Literature Review …………………………………………………………................ 4 Method .......................................................................……………………………..… 47 Participants ………………………………………………………………….. 47 Sampling Procedures ………………………………….……………...….….. 50 Measures …………………………………….………………………………. 52 Results ……………………………………………………………………….……… 53 Discussion ……………………………………………………………………...…… 100 Appendix A (Recruitment E-mail) …………………….……………………….…… 129 Appendix B (Informed Consent) ……………………………………………….….... 132 Appendix C (Survey Questions) ...................................................…………...…...… 135 References ...................................................………………………………………… 148 iv List of Tables Page Table 1 ( Frequency and Percentage of Respondents’ Ratings of Campus Climate and Sensitivity to the Needs of Gay and Lesbian Students ) ……….... 54 Table 2 (Frequency and Percentage of Respondents Reporting Varying Degrees of Mental Health Impact on Their Relationship(s) ) ………………... 59 Table 3 ( Summary of Means and Standard Deviations for Ratings of Outness to Various Groups As a Function of Race ) …………………………. 63 Table 4 ( Thematic Categories for Where/How Participants Meet Potential Dating Partners ) ……………………………………………………………... 65 Table 5 ( Thematic Categories for Top Three Problems Encountered in Relationships ) ………………………………………………………………... 67 Table 6 ( Frequency and Percentage of Respondents Reporting Number of Relationships ) ………………………………………………………………... 69 Table 7 ( Frequency and Percentage of Respondents’ Ratings of Support for Their Same-Sex Intimate Relationships From Various Sources ) ……………. 73 Table 8 ( Frequency and Percentage of Respondents Reporting Varying Levels of Conflict With Partners Regarding Level of “Outness” ) ……...…… 77 Table 9 ( Frequency and Percentage of Respondents’ Ratings of Emotional Intimacy with Their Current or Most Recent Partner ) ………………………. 79 Table 10 ( Frequency and Percentage of Respondents Selecting Monogamy/Nonmonogamy Relationship Descriptors ) ………………………. 84 Table 11 ( Frequency and Percentage of Respondents with Cohabitation v Experience ) ………………………………………………………………….. 89 Table 12 ( Frequency and Percentage of Respondents Reporting Varying Levels of Equality in Division of Labor, Power, and Decision Making ) ……. 91 Table 13 ( Thematic Categories for Sources of Conflict in Relationships ) …..………. 91 Table 14 ( Frequency and Percentage of Respondents’ Ratings of Conflict Frequency and Conflict Management/Resolution Skills ) ……………………. 93 Table 15 ( Frequency of Respondents Reporting Same-Sex Relationship Abuse and Barriers in Seeking Help/Intervention) ………………………….. 94 Table 16 ( Thematic Categories for Top Three ) …………………………………...…. 96 vi Dating and Relationship Experiences of Gay and Lesbian College Students This dissertation was developed based on an identified need in the psychological literature for additional research on topics pertaining to same-sex dating and relationships. For example, Alonzo (2005) noted that there is a lack of broad-based literature on same-sex couples, which serves as an obstacle to appropriate treatment of such couples and of individuals experiencing problems in their same-sex relationships. Some specific topics which authors have identified as in need of further research include the balance of power in same-sex relationships, the impact of stigma and discrimination on same-sex relationships, and the sexual attitudes and behaviors of gay and lesbian individuals since the AIDS epidemic and since the topic of same-sex marriage has been the focus of more media attention (Peplau & Fingerhut, 2007). Other areas identified as needing further research include issues of sexual monogamy versus openness in same-sex relationships, and the relationship experiences of ethnic minority lesbians and gay men (Peplau, Fingerhut, & Beals, 2004). Peplau and Fingerhut (2007) also noted that much of the research that is available on the topic of same-sex relationships may be outdated, having been conducted in the 1980s and 90s, and that there is a need for more current research to update the knowledge base (e.g., Peplau & Fingerhut, 2007). A review of the existing research in this area revealed that studies of same-sex dating and relationships within the college population in particular are almost nonexistent. Because cohort and age-related factors are influential in the process of identity development for sexual minority as well as other individuals (Fassinger & Arseneau, 2007), it is plausible that the dating and relationship experiences of current gay and lesbian college students may not be entirely consistent with those of the larger gay and lesbian population. Furthermore, because the formation of intimate relationships is typically considered to be among the central developmental tasks of early adulthood (Brown & Bulanda, 2008), it is important that psychologists and others have an understanding of how these issues are experienced by individuals in this age group, including those who are gay or lesbian. Based on all of these considerations, it is clear that there is a need not only for more current additions to the research base on same-sex dating and relationships in general, but even more so in regards to particular subpopulations such as gay and lesbian college students. This research study was designed to address some of these needs. Sexual minorities are typically considered to include those who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, and intersex (LGBTQQI), and this varied group of individuals may at times be addressed collectively in the psychological literature. However, this dissertation was designed to focus specifically on sexual orientation rather than gender identity, and on gay and lesbian individuals in particular. Although same-sex relationships are not limited to gay and lesbian individuals, the decision was made to focus on individuals who self-identify as such due to the complexity of concurrently addressing the experiences of several groups of individuals who are likely to confront unique issues. The dating and relationship experiences of other sexual minorities merit attention in the body of psychological research, but they are beyond the scope of this study. 2 The information obtained in this study will be of particular interest to mental health professionals working with gay and lesbian college students, but it is also relevant for other college personnel and helping professionals working with gay and lesbian individuals. Students themselves may benefit from this information as it may normalize and contextualize their experiences. Furthermore, because western culture holds many myths and stereotypes about gay and lesbian individuals and about same-sex relationships, research in these areas has an important role in dispelling inaccurate beliefs and assumptions, increasing the visibility of pertinent issues relevant to this population, and aiding efforts in the realm of advocacy and the promotion of LGBT rights. 3 Literature Review Contextual Factors In order to gain an understanding of issues pertaining to the dating and intimate relationships of gay and lesbian college students, it is important to consider the context in which these interactions occur. Contextual factors can be highly influential—in