(PS11-23) Couple-level Sexual Minority Stress and Suicide Ideation in Same-gender Couples Across Adulthood

Background: Suicidal ideation occurs at higher rates among sexual minorities than it does among their heterosexual peers. Minority stress theory proposes that sexual minorities experience additional unique stressors leading to more negative mental health outcomes such as thoughts of suicide. One domain of minority stress that was recently proposed is couples-level minority stress, or stress due to being in a same-gender relationship. When couples-level minority stress occurs, partnered sexual minorities may be uniquely able to support each other. On the other hand, when both partners are impacted, stress may be amplified, limiting their ability to support one another. Additionally, it is important to understand whether experiencing this form of stress changes across the lifespan as relationship dynamics and expectations change. For example, this type of stress may be more impactful when younger adults are looking for a long-term partner.  On the other hand, younger sexual minorities may have a larger group of people who can provide support when sexual minority stress occurs whereas older sexual minorities may struggle to find people they can lean on when their partner cannot provide support. As such, the relation between suicidal ideation and couples-level minority stress may be stronger for older adults relative to younger adults.

Methods: Data were collected through Prolific from 194 adults aged 18 to 85 who endorsed being in a same-gender relationship at some point. All participants completed self-report measures assessing suicidal ideation and couples-level minority stress.

Results: The couples-level minority stressors of lack of social support, r = .15 p = .04, lack of integration with family of origin, r = .19 p < .01, visibility, r =. 30 p < .01, and stigma, r = .26, p < .01, were positively correlated with the presence of lifetime suicidal ideation. Additionally, age moderated the relation between couples-level stress and suicidal ideation for the subscales unequal relationship recognition, b = -.03, p < .01, and perceived safety as a couple, b = -.02, p = .01. Associations were stronger among younger sexual minorities than among older sexual minorities.

Conclusion: Greater couples-level minority stress was significantly associated with a higher likelihood of suicidal ideation. Additionally, age moderated the relation between couples-level minority stress and suicidal ideation, but not in the expected direction, as the association was stronger for younger rather than older sexual minorities. This domain of minority stress is still newly studied, and it is unclear why couples-level minority stress may increase risk for suicidal ideation nor why age moderates this form of minority stress in this way. Increasing our understanding of the stressors that go along with having a same-gender partner will help clinicians to better support their sexual minority clients should these stressors occur and will inform how to tailor their approach based on the age of their clients.