Researchers at Rutgers University are looking to alleviate the dearth of data on same-sex relationships with a new study examining the dynamics of gay-male couples.
The study, funded by the university, will focus on how one’s health is influenced by gender, the gender of an individual’s partner, relationship quality and the role that personality plays in one’s health.
Dr. Charlotte Markey, who will be joined by co-principal investigators Drs. Chris Nave and Kristin August, conducted a similar study of same-sex female relationships two years ago and, before that, examined heterosexual couples.
“In the first heterosexual study, we kept finding gender differences that we couldn’t attribute to the person or the partner,” Markey said. “We thought the next step was to look at people with same-sex partners, so we did the women’s study and, as we’ve been working to get that published, everyone wants to know, what about gay men? So this was the logical next piece of the puzzle in terms of understanding not just how a romantic partner influences health, but also what role gender plays.”
While Markey noted that her team has no political agenda, studies like this may be useful in highlighting the validity of same-sex relationships.
As the data from the women’s study is compiled, Markey said she’s already encountered surprise from other researchers that there were so few differences between the studies on heterosexual and same-sex couples.
Last March, the Institute of Medicine released a wide-ranging report calling for further research into LGBT health.
“That report showed that the health disparities this community faces are really striking and it did raise awareness about the need to understand LGBT health issues, but there is still a lot that needs to be done,” Markey said.
The next phase of the Rutgers research, conducted at the Camden campus, across the bridge from Center City Philadelphia, is open to up to 80 male couples who have been together at least six months.
Each person will receive a $50 stipend for participation.
Participants will have their height and weight recorded and take a survey that will ask about relationship experiences, health outcomes with a focus on eating behaviors and body image, as well as other health and personality questions.
The men will then be asked to participate in a task together.
New to the study is the addition of heart-rate and blood-pressure monitoring throughout the joint task.
Researchers are scheduling couples starting in early April.
Interested participants can learn more at www.healthydevelopmentlab.com.
Jen Colletta can be reached at [email protected].