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Positive Affect Is Associated With Well-Being Among Sexual and Gender Minorities and Couples
Madison Shea Smith1, Judith T Moskowitz2, Brian Mustanski1
1Institute for Sexual and Gender Minority Health and Wellbeing, Northwestern University.
Psychology of Sexual Orientation and Gender Diversity
|July 18, 2025
Summary
Positive affect (PA) is crucial for sexual and gender minority men (SGM-AMABs). Increasing PA can reduce depression and improve relationship quality, highlighting the importance of dyadic interventions for well-being.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Sociology
- Public Health
Background:
- Positive affect (PA) significantly impacts well-being, particularly for sexual and gender minorities (SGMs).
- Existing research highlights PA's benefits in areas like HIV care among SGMs.
- Limited studies explore PA's connection to mental and relational health in partnered SGMs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the trajectory of PA among partnered sexual and gender minority men assigned male at birth (SGM-AMABs).
- To examine the association between PA and mental/relational well-being indicators.
- To explore the dyadic influence of PA on well-being within couples.
Main Methods:
- Longitudinal cohort study (2008-2022) with 155 partnered SGM-AMABs.
- Latent growth curve modeling to analyze PA trends over time.
- Actor-partner interdependence models to assess PA's impact on individual and dyadic well-being.
Main Results:
- PA showed a declining trend over the study period.
- Increases in PA were linked to decreased depression and enhanced relationship quality.
- PA demonstrated a health-promotive association within the dyadic context.
Conclusions:
- Interventions aimed at boosting PA in SGM-AMABs should incorporate the dyadic relationship context.
- Targeting PA may effectively enhance the overall well-being of SGM-AMABs.
- Further research is warranted to explore novel associations of PA within partnered SGMs.
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