Shared identity and need fulfillment in transgender young adults’ romantic relationship experiences

Transgender young adults experience a unique and complex set of stressors in romantic relationships. These stressors may be amplified for transgender people with non-transgender partners due to fear of stigmatization or lack of understanding, and therefore might reduce feelings of closeness and satisfaction. The ability of partners to fulfill relational needs may explain any identity-based differences in relationship well-being. This study examined associations between partners’ shared transgender identity and general relational need fulfillment, relationship closeness, and relationship satisfaction among transgender young adults in romantic relationships. This study also assessed the extent to which need fulfillment could mediate the association between shared transgender identity and relationship experiences. We hypothesized that transgender young adults with transgender partners would report higher relationship closeness and satisfaction compared to those with non-transgender partners, mediated by increased need fulfillment. One hundred ninety-seven U.S-based transgender young adults in romantic relationships (M age = 25.7) completed an online, cross-sectional survey. Multivariable linear models were run for associations among variables of interest and causal mediation analyses were conducted. Participants with transgender primary partners reported significantly higher relationship closeness and relationship satisfaction, but not need fulfillment, compared to participants with non-transgender partners. In addition, significant positive associations were observed between need fulfillment and relationship closeness and satisfaction. No mediation was observed. Results provide insight for practitioners working with transgender people in or seeking romantic relationships, and suggest further research to explore the mechanisms that generate potential differences in relationship experiences and that promote relationship well-being regardless of identity differences.