Both partners from gay, lesbian, heterosexual-parent, and heterosexual-nonparent couples completed surveys at seven time points (ns = 150, 102, 90, and 108 couples, respectively, at the first assessment) that assessed variables from the following five domains relevant to close relationships: individual differences, relationship schemas, conflict resolution, social support, and relationship quality. Although the type-of-couple differences that were significant were nearly all small in size, relative to partners from heterosexual-nonparent couples, those from gay or lesbian couples reported less social support from family members, those from lesbian couples reported more positive relationship quality, and those from heterosexual-parent couples reported more negative relationship quality.
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