Romantic relationship satisfaction is an important component of psychological wellbeing among LGBTQ individuals.
The role that romantic relationship satisfaction plays within the broader context of community belonging remains unclear. This study explores how these two factors may intersect to affect overall mental health outcomes for LGBTQ adults.
Methods
The data used in this study were from the National Survey of Family Growth, which included 14,629 respondents who identified as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning, or something else. The survey collected information on participants' current living situations, sexual orientation and gender identity, romantic partnerships, social support networks, and mental health status.
Results
The analysis revealed that both romantic relationship satisfaction and community belonging independently predicted better psychological health outcomes such as higher self-esteem and lower levels of depression and anxiety.
When the two variables were examined together, romantic relationship satisfaction had a greater impact on these mental health indicators than did community belonging. In other words, having a satisfying romantic relationship was more protective against poor psychological health than simply feeling connected to one's community.
Discussion
These findings suggest that while community belonging can be beneficial for LGBTQ individuals, it may not be as important as having a fulfilling romantic relationship in terms of promoting positive mental health. It could be argued that community involvement provides emotional support and validation that are necessary for personal growth and resilience, but ultimately romantic relationships provide a deeper level of intimacy and connection that is more likely to promote wellbeing over time. Future research should continue to investigate how these factors interact with each other and explore potential interventions that target both domains simultaneously.
In what ways does romantic relationship satisfaction interact with community belonging to influence overall psychological health for LGBTQ adults?
The satisfaction of one's romantic relationships has been shown to impact an individual's overall wellbeing, including their mental and physical health. Similarly, feelings of connection to one's broader social network have also been linked to positive outcomes such as improved life satisfaction and reduced rates of depression.