Health disparities have been documented in same-sex partnered women, including higher rates of cardiovascular disease, Type 2 diabetes, cancers, and mental health disorders. Higher rates of smoking, substance use, and obesity are behavioral risk factors that contribute to these chronic health problems. Living in rural areas with fewer social supports and less access to culturally sensitive healthcare services may also contribute to health disparities in sexual minorities. Their stigmatized identity is linked to minority stress, a well-documented social determinant of health behaviors and outcomes. Coping responses are an important couple-level mechanism that link stigma-related (minority) stress and health in same-sex couples. Relationship education (RE) programming is a potentially effective approach to increasing positive dyadic-level coping skills that support health. In a sample of 40 female same-sex couples, investigators will test the hypothesis that couples who complete newly revised, web-based RE modules that target health-related coping responses to stigma-related stress will report immediate (post-intervention) and persistent (3-month follow up) positive effects on their relationship quality (e.g., positive communication and problem-solving, relationship satisfaction, perceived partner support), stigma-related coping behaviors, and health (e.g., reduced substance use, depression/anxiety, physical health symptoms). This intervention represents one of the first efforts to test the effects of a culturally appropriate web-based relationship education tool that specifically targets health-related coping behaviors in rural female same-sex couples, a stigmatized, high-risk, under-researched and under-resourced population.
Age range
18 Years
Sex
FEMALE
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
Change in depression and anxiety.
Timeframe: up to 26 weeks
Health-related Quality of Life
Timeframe: up to 26 weeks
Substance Use
Timeframe: up to 26 weeks
Couples Satisfaction Index
Timeframe: up to 26 weeks
Relationship Instability Index
Timeframe: up to 26 weeks
Relationship Confidence
Timeframe: up to 26 weeks
Couple Problem Solving
Timeframe: up to 26 weeks
Couple Communication
Timeframe: up to 26 weeks
Intimate Safety
Timeframe: up to 26 weeks
Relationship Dedication/Commitment
Timeframe: up to 26 weeks
Dyadic Coping
Timeframe: up to 26 weeks
Perceived Relationship Marginalization
Timeframe: up to 26 weeks
LGB Identity LGB Identity LGB Identity
Timeframe: up to 26 weeks
Perceived Stress
Timeframe: up to 26 weeks
Coping Self-Efficacy
Timeframe: up to 26 weeks
Internalized Stigma (Public Identification)
Timeframe: up to 26 weeks
Personal Feelings About Identity (Internalized Stigma)
Timeframe: up to 26 weeks
Mindful Self Care
Timeframe: up to 26 weeks