Study Reveals High Relationship Quality in Same-Sex Couples

A new Family Relations study provides robust evidence against deep-rooted social perceptions of same-sex relationships being conflictual, unhappy, and dysfunctional.

In the study of 25,348 individuals in the United Kingdom and 9,206 individuals in Australia, the level of relationship quality reported by gay/lesbian people was as high as that reported by heterosexual people in the United Kingdom, and higher in Australia.

The lowest relationship quality in both countries was reported by bisexual individuals.

“In countries such as Australia, same-sex couples and their families are being subjected to intense public scrutiny. This study provides timely evidence to combat erroneous stereotypes, demonstrating that these are loving, happy and functional couples,” said co-author Dr. Francisco Perales, of The University of Queensland, in Australia.

Additional Information

Link to Study: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/fare.12293/full

About Journal

A premier, applied journal of family studies, Family Relations is mandatory reading for all professionals who work with families, including: family practitioners, educators, marriage and family therapists, researchers, and social policy specialists. The journal’s content emphasizes family research with implications for intervention, education, and public policy, publishing empirical studies, literature reviews and conceptual analyses.