Friends, family and a committed relationship: Identity theory and the relationships of married heterosexual and cohabiting lesbian couples.

Abstract

This research examines dyadic identities and how gender, race and sexual orientation affect identity processes among married heterosexual and cohabiting lesbian couples. The interrelationships among dyadic identity commitment, dyadic identity centrality and relationship well-being are examined, cross-sectionally and longitudinally among Black and White couples and cross-sectionally among White lesbian partners. Identity commitment is the quality and quantity of relationships that rely on the individual being in the role of and acting out the identity of spouse/partner. Identity centrality is the individual's affect about and importance of the identity as spouse or partner. The following general propositions are examined: (1) identity commitment is positively related to identity centrality and that both are positively related to relationship well-being, (2) identity commitment affects relationship well-being directly and indirectly through identity centrality, and (3) identity processes vary across gender, race and sexual orientation. Results support the application of identity theory to intimate relationships. Generally, identity commitment is both directly and indirectly related to relationship well-being. Identity processes are not the same across gender, race and sexual orientation. The results indicate that among wives, identity processes are relatively strong. Among husbands, identity processes are relatively weak. Identity processes are somewhat stronger for Black than White husbands. There were two unanticipated findings. Among Black wives, interference in the relationship by friendships was positively related to future relationship well-being. This may be because Black couples organize their marriages with a priority on the wife's autonomy. Among lesbians, there was a possible relationship between closeness of the couple with family members and lower relationship well-being. This finding is consistent with the literature that the families of lesbians may be close with the partners without validating them as a couple, thereby introducing stress into the relationship. The meaning of identities must be assessed in order to determine whether culturally-specific meanings about relationships explain the observed differences in identity processes.