1 - (SYM 116) Within-person Associations of Relationship Satisfaction and Mental Health of Individuals in Same-gender Relationships: Results from a 13-year Panel Survey

Relationship distress is a risk factor for psychopathology, particularly depression (e.g., Whisman et al., 2021). However, most research has focused on mixed-gender couples, precluding conclusions about sexual minorities in same-gender relationships, who face mental health disparities. Available studies generally find similar associations (e.g., Bothwell et al., 2023; Whitton & Kuryluk, 2014,), but tend to focus on between-person effects, with few exceptions (Sarno et al., 2022). Studies on within-person effects, i.e., whether individual changes in relationship satisfaction (RS) are associated with changes in mental health for the same person, are essential for intervention development. The current study examined within-person associations of RS with mental health outcomes across 13 years, which extends the time frame of previous studies and expands to include positive aspects of well-being. We hypothesized that higher RS will be associated with lower depression and perceived stress, and with higher life satisfaction.

Participants from four birth cohorts completed annual surveys as part of the German Family Panel (pairfam; Brüderl et al., 2023). The current study included participants from 13 waves (2009-2022) who reported on at least one same-gender relationship, yielding a sample of N = 199 participants and 252 relationships. Participants were M = 33.26 years old (SD = 9.17). Gender was reported as binary, 61,81% were female. Three-level multilevel models were used to account for nesting of data and included person-mean centered scores and person means to disaggregate within- and between-person effects (Curran & Bauer, 2011).

Preliminary results indicate that individuals who were generally more satisfied in their relationship(s) reported lower depression and perceived stress, and higher life satisfaction (between-person, all p < .001). Within-person, individuals reported lower depression (B = -.48, SE = .17, p = .002) and higher life satisfaction (B = -.15, SE = .06, p = .01) when they were more satisfied in their relationship. There were no gender differences in the effects of RS. Results for a subsample with data on sexual orientation (assessed in waves 9 & 11) will also be presented.
The results affirm the importance of relationship quality for mental health among individuals in same-gender relationships as an at-risk population. The findings suggest that relationship-focused interventions could play an important role in improving mental health outcomes.