Challenges and Opportunities for Research on Same-Sex Relationships

Citation

Umberson, Debra; Thomeer, Mieke Beth; Kroeger, Rhiannon A.; Lodge, Amy C.; & Xu, Minle (2015). Challenges and Opportunities for Research on Same-Sex Relationships. Journal of Marriage and Family. vol. 77 (1) pp. 96-111 , PMCID: PMC4294225

Abstract

Research on same-sex relationships has informed policy debates and legal decisions that greatly affect American families, yet the data and methods available to scholars studying same-sex relationships have been limited. In this article the authors review current approaches to studying same-sex relationships and significant challenges for this research. After exploring how researchers have dealt with these challenges in prior studies, the authors discuss promising strategies and methods to advance future research on same-sex relationships, with particular attention given to gendered contexts and dyadic research designs, quasi-experimental designs, and a relationship biography approach. Innovation and advances in the study of same-sex relationships will further theoretical and empirical knowledge in family studies more broadly and increase understanding of different-sex as well as same-sex relationships.

URL

http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/jomf.12155

Keyword(s)

gay

Reference Type

Journal Article

Journal Title

Journal of Marriage and Family

Author(s)

Umberson, Debra
Thomeer, Mieke Beth
Kroeger, Rhiannon A.
Lodge, Amy C.
Xu, Minle

Year Published

2015

Volume Number

77

Issue Number

1

Pages

96-111

ISSN/ISBN

1741-3737

DOI

10.1111/jomf.12155

PMCID

PMC4294225

NIHMSID

NIHMS640096

Reference ID

5413