What makes LGBT couple relationships succeed or fail?

Let's look at the findings of various research on same-sex couples.

What makes a same-sex couple relationship succeed or fail? This is the fundamental question that led John Gottmann (author of the Gottmann method, a type of couple therapy focused on disarming conflict and improving coexistence, respect and intimacy in relationships) to study this phenomenon in depth.

The factors of success in an LGBT couple's relationship

One of the key findings was that, in general, satisfaction and the quality of a relationship are similar across all types of couples (heterosexual, gay, lesbian and bisexual). (heterosexual, gay and lesbian). This result supports previous research that has found that gay relationships are comparable and do not differ that much from heterosexual relationships in many ways.

Differences between heterosexual and same-sex couples.

According to Gottmann, gay and lesbian couples, like heterosexual couples, deal with the ups and downs of close relationships every day. However, these ups and downs can occur in a social context of isolation from the family, because of prejudice in the workplace.In addition, research has shown that the ups and downs of close relationships can occur in a social context of isolation from family, prejudice in the workplace, and other social barriers that are unique to same-sex couples.

In addition, research has shown that same-sex couples are more optimistic in the face of conflict.. Compared to heterosexual couples, gay and lesbian couples employ more affectionate and humorous communication when faced with disagreement, and often receive it in a more positive manner.

On the other hand, the data indicate that same-sex couples use fewer emotionally hostile and controlling tactics. Gay and lesbian couples also show less belligerence, dominance, and fear in conflict than heterosexual couples. For Gottmann, the difference in these "control" related emotions suggests that equity and power sharing between partners is more important and more common among gay and lesbian relationships.

What happens in LGTBIQ couple conflicts?

In an argument, LGTBIQ couples take it less personally, indicating that this type of conflict is more common among gay and lesbian couples.This indicates that LGTBIQ couples tend to accept a certain degree of negativity in the relationship without affecting the stability or quality of the relationship. In conflicts, lesbian couples show more anger, humor, emotionality, and interest than gay men.

This suggests that lesbian relationships tend to have more expressiveness (both positive and negative) than gay relationships. This fact is also a reflection of how our society works.Men are socialized in a culture where emotional expression is more acceptable in women and is usually discouraged in men.

Gay men must be especially cautious to avoid negativity in conflict. When it comes to making amends, homosexual couples differ from heterosexual couples; if the initiator of conflict in a relationship becomes too negative, his partner cannot resolve it as effectively as lesbian or heterosexual couples.