Same-Sex and Mixed-Sex Couples in the Netherlands: The Association Between Life Satisfaction and Relationship Dynamics

Using a national sample of Dutch (N = 5,854) individuals in same-sex and mixed-sex relationships we explored the associations between relationship dynamics, both positive (partner support) and negative (conflict), and life satisfaction. We found that individuals in same-sex relationships reported lower life satisfaction compared with their peers in mixed-sex relationships but there were no differences in the amount of partner support or level of relationship conflict. Across all couples, greater partner support and lower relationship conflict was associated with greater individual life satisfaction. Interestingly, for individuals in mixed-sex relationships, low level of conflict was associated with greater life satisfaction, whereas the association was not as pronounced for individuals in same-sex relationships. In sum, the impact of some relationship factors (such as conflict) on individual life satisfaction may vary in different ways across couple type.