View article

Same-sex couples face unique minority stressors that affect relationship functioning, yet remarkably little research has examined the mechanisms by which individual and partner experiences of internalized stigma affect relationships over time. Using actor–partner interdependence models, the present study examined the effects of internalized stigma on relationship satisfaction, and whether depressive symptoms and couple conflict mediated these effects. Hypotheses were tested cross-sectionally and prospectively across a 5-year period. Participants were 330 same-sex couples (n= 660 individuals; M age= 39.5 years, SD= 10.8) who were assessed annually over a 5-year period. There were 109 male couples, 216 female couples, and five couples in which one partner did not identify with these labels. There was a significant actor effect of internalized stigma on lower relationship …