The role of romantic relationships for sexual minority young adults’ depressive symptoms: Does relationship type matter?

Citation

Hsu, Jaime & Mernitz, Sara (2024). The role of romantic relationships for sexual minority young adults’ depressive symptoms: Does relationship type matter?. Social Science Research. vol. 122

Abstract

Sexual minority young adults consistently report higher rates of depression than heterosexual young adults. Drawing on the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health, this study examines if types of romantic relationships provide mental health benefits for lesbian, gay, and bisexual young adults. Further, analyses distinguish between same- and different-sex unions to help determine which relationship types offer the most mental health benefits. The results show that marriage is linked to fewer depressive symptoms for gay and lesbian young adults, compared to being unpartnered or in a dating relationship. Further, same-sex unions are associated with fewer depressive symptoms, but not different-sex unions. Yet, bisexual respondents’ depressive symptoms are not associated with romantic relationships, regardless of relationship type. The results suggest that it is important to address the stigma surrounding sexual minority status and same-sex relationships to improve the burden of depressive symptoms on sexual minority young adults.

URL

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssresearch.2024.103049

Keyword(s)

sexual minorities

Reference Type

Journal Article

Journal Title

Social Science Research

Author(s)

Hsu, Jaime
Mernitz, Sara

Year Published

2024

Volume Number

122

DOI

10.1016/j.ssresearch.2024.103049

Reference ID

10445