Social network support and well-being in same-sex and mixed-sex relationships

Blair, K.L. & Holmberg, D. (2008). Perceived social network support and well-being in same-sex vs. mixed-sex romantic relationships. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 25(5), 769-791.

This article focuses on the linkages between the variables of social support, relationship well-being, mental and physical health. More specifically, the study has sought to examine how approval or disapproval of a relationship, in other words, social support for a relationship, may be related to relational outcome measures, such as relationship satisfaction, love and trust. Furthermore, the study examined how this association between support for a relationship and relationship well-being might then further be extended to the mental and physical health outcomes of the individuals within the relationship. Although previous research examining the psychology of relationships, health and social support has examined some of these links, no previous study prior to this one has ever looked at all of these variables within a single framework, or predictive model. Previous research has linked social support in general to both relationship outcomes and health outcomes, but very little research has exclusively examined the role that social support specifically for a relationship might play in predicting these important outcome variables. Additionally, research has linked relationship well-being to mental and physical health, but never within the context of varying levels of a supported relationship. Finally, the study has examined these issues within the context of both mixed-sex (heterosexual) and same-sex relationships. It is noted that given the varying degrees to which same-sex relationships enjoy the protection of the law and the respect of society, that the relationships between the variables in this study may vary as a function of relationship type.

Hypotheses

The study set forth to test a theoretical model of how these variables may be related to one another. It was hypothesized that greater levels of perceived social support for one's relationship would predict greater levels of relationship well-being, which would in turn, predict better mental and physical health. Furthermore, the study hypothesized that individuals in same-sex relationships would perceive less social support for their relationships from their parents than individuals in mixed-sex relationships. The authors did not expect to find any differences in perceived levels of social support for the relationship with respect to support coming from friends, as opposed to parents or family members. The final hypothesis of the study examined whether or not perceived social support for the relationship could be seen as distinctly different from overall social support for the individual. As such, the authors hypothesized that perceived support for the relationship and its impact on relationship well-being would remain significant even after controlling for measures of overall social support in general, as well as social support for one's sexual orientation.

Results

The results of the structural equation modeling analyses indicated that the model proposed by the authors was supported by the data. Social Support for the relationship was associated with greater relationship well-being, which in turn, was associated with better mental and physical health. After the initial model was tested using the whole sample (mixed-sex and same-sex couples combined), the model was re-run with the sample divided based on relationship type in order to compare same-sex couples to mixed-sex couples. The comparison model fit the data equally well, which was indicative of the model not having any significant differences based on relationship type, such that social support for relationships is just as important to relationship well-being and health for individuals in same-sex relationships as it is for individuals in mixed-sex relationships. Finally, social support for relationships remained a significant predictor of relationship well-being and health even after other forms of support were controlled for, namely general support for the individual and support for the individual's sexual orientation.

Review

This article presented an interesting topic that has, to date, received very little attention in the literature. We all experience relationships within the context of our social lives, and although one single person may become our closest confidant and lover, this relationship may still ebb and flow at the will of the opinions of those near to us. Thus, it is important to examine the question of how perceived social support for one's relationship might impact the relationship itself, in terms of satisfaction, love, and trust, and then to furthermore examine how these variables might interplay with the health of the individuals within the relationship. Adding the variables of mental and physical health allowed the authors to examine a further dimension which helps to add relevancy to the findings of the article, in that suffering in one's relationship can lead to mental and physical health suffering, which can then be seen as an interest of the state. Furthermore, the investigation of this issue within the context of both same-sex and mixed-sex relationships allows useful conclusions to be drawn that can be applied readily to current debates within society concerning the legitimization of same-sex relationships. While individuals may hold varying opinions concerning what kinds of relationships should be granted legal protections under the law and in the eyes of the government, individuals have much less leeway in determining the fate of specific individuals with respect to their health and well-being solely on the basis a group membership. This article indicates that lower levels of social support for a relationship can not only bring harm to one's relationship, but in turn, that it can also bring harm to one's mental and physical health. Placed within the context of same-sex relationships, this finding can be extended to say that systematic deprivation of rights and support from the government and the law can lead to mental and physical health problems for individuals within same-sex relationships. In other words, to deny same-sex relationships the protections that allow for greater levels of social support for one's relationship is to put these individuals in jeopardy for their health and well-being, something which should be much more difficult to justify as just.

Thus, the importance of this study is clear. Despite this, the study is not without its limitations. The sample used was disproportionately female, thus making it difficult to assess the role that gender may play in the manipulation of the variables in question. The sample was also rather homogeneous, being predominantly young, white, and well-educated, thus further limiting the scope to which the results of the study might be generalizable. Perhaps the role that support plays for relationships has drastically different outcomes within different cultures, or among different age groups. The major weaknesses contributing to the validity and reliability of the study concern the measures used. For the most part, measures of the variables in question did not clearly exist and thus the authors had to make do with altered versions of other measures. For example, their measure of support for the relationship from parents vs. friends was based on a previous study in which participants were presented with lists of behaviours, which might be deemed either approving or disapproving with respect to one's feelings towards a relationship. This was not a validated measure of support for relationships, and as such, it may not truly be measuring what the authors purport it to be measuring, thus raising questions concerning their conclusions about support from various sources. As well, the entire study was based on self-report measures, which always comes with a limitation. For one, self-report can be subject to bias, in that participants are being asked to provide their own perspective on the variables in question, which may or may not be objectively true. This can be of particular concern for variables concerning physical health. Future research may be able to add to this study by using actual measures of physical health, which can be substantiated by medical professionals.

There is also the question of Internet methodology. When conducting research online, it is impossible to know from where participants are coming, who they truly are, or whether or not they are participating in the study more than once. The authors suggest that they did do their best to control for these possible problems, and it does not seem likely that Internet research methodology has severely limited the validity of the conclusions drawn in this study, but nevertheless it would be interesting to see the results of a study conducted through traditional measures.