Report

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
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

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