Longitudinal Predictors of Relationship Dissolution Among Same-Sex and Heterosexual Couples

March 2018

This study is the first to compare relationship breakups among same-sex and heterosexual couples over a 12-year time period during which legal relationships were recognized for same-sex couples in some U.S. states. It was published in Couple and Family Psychology in December 2017.

AUTHORS

Esther D. Rothblum
Distinguished Visiting Scholar
Kimberly F. Balsam
Chair, Department of Psychology, Palo Alto University
Robert E. Wickham
Assistant Professor, Palo Alto University

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Highlights

Considering all couple types together, longer relationship length, older age, and better relationship quality reduced the chances of a breakup.

Women in same-sex couples were twice as likely as men in same-sex couples and 1.5 times as likely as straight couples to have ended their relationships.

There were no differences in break-up rates between same-sex couples who had legalized their relationship and those who had not.

Data Points

29%

of female-female couples terminated their relationship

15%

of male-male couples ended their relationship

9%

lower odds of breaking up for each year of relationship length

61%

lower odds of breaking up with each additional measure of relationship quality

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