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Cognitive-behavioral couple therapy for same-sex female couples: A pilot study
Kimberly Z Pentel1, Donald H Baucom1, Danielle M Weber1
1Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA.
Family Process
|July 29, 2021
Summary
Culturally tailored couple therapy for same-sex female couples significantly reduced relationship distress and improved coping with sexual minority (SM) stress. This pilot study shows promise for evidence-based interventions for marginalized groups.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Couples Therapy
- Sexual Minority Studies
Background:
- Same-sex couples face higher breakup rates despite similar satisfaction.
- Existing couple therapies are understudied in same-sex populations.
- Culturally tailored interventions are desired by same-sex couples.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and pilot test a novel couple therapy for distressed same-sex female couples.
- To integrate the sexual minority (SM) stress model with cognitive-behavioral couple therapy.
- To empirically evaluate the first culturally tailored couple therapy for same-sex couples.
Main Methods:
- An open-trial pilot study with 11 same-sex female couples.
- Treatment integrated the SM stress model and cognitive-behavioral couple therapy.
- Therapists demonstrated high adherence to the treatment manual.
Main Results:
- Participants reported high treatment satisfaction.
- Significant decreases in relationship distress were observed.
- Improvements in couple coping with SM stress were noted.
Conclusions:
- The pilot therapy demonstrated feasibility and effectiveness for distressed same-sex female couples.
- Results suggest potential for culturally tailored couple therapy for marginalized groups.
- Further research is warranted due to the small pilot sample size.
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