(PS10-A8) Childhood Gender Non-conformity and Adult Romantic Attachment: An Exploration into Cisgender Sexual Minority Couple Dynamics

Childhood Gender Non-Conformity and Adult Romantic Attachment: An Exploration into Cisgender Sexual Minority Couple Dynamics

Introduction: This study aims to understand how childhood gender nonconformity (CGNC) may influence romantic attachment dynamics in sexual minority (lesbian, gay, bisexual & queer) couples. Current findings on adult attachment in sexual minority couples have found similar results to heterosexual couples in that attachment anxiety and avoidance in both partners are linked with less positive relationship outcomes and findings were similar across genders. However, few studies have explored developmental antecedents of romantic attachment for sexual minority adults, such as CGNC. One study found an association between CGNC and anxious adult attachment in gay men, however, these associations have been less explored among women and very little work has been done dyadically.

Methods: Data for this study were from an online, cross-sectional study of 60 sexual minority couples (n=30 male couples, n=30 female couples; 25% married; M age = 30 years; 30% racial and/or ethnic minority). Both partners completed surveys about their relationship and individual attitudes and behaviors, including about adult romantic attachment (the Experience in Close Relationship Scale – Short Form) and the Childhood Gender Non-Conformity measure, with separate items for men (e.g., “As a child, I sometimes wore feminine clothing (such as dresses), makeup, or jewelry.”) and women (e.g., “As a child, I was called a “tomboy” by my peers”).

Results: Correlations indicated sexual minority women’s CGNC was positively correlated with their partner’s avoidant attachment (r = .34, p < .01) Sexual minority men’s CGNC was positively correlated (r = .37, p < .01) with their own anxious attachment. We used multilevel Actor-Partner Interdependence Models for indistinguishable dyads to assess the own and cross-partner associations of CGNC with adult romantic attachment style. Models were run separately by gender due to the two forms of the CGNC measure. Results indicated a positive partner effect of CGNC on avoidant attachment among women, such that sexual minority women who had reported more CGNC were partnered with women higher in avoidant attachment women (B = 1.98, SE = .72, p</span> < .01). Results indicated a significant positive actor effect of CGNC on anxious attachment among sexual minority men. Men who reported more CGNC were more anxiously attached in their relationship (B = 3.49, SE = 1.13, p</span> < .01). Associations with anxious attachment for women and avoidant attachment for men were not significant (ps >.05).

Discussion: Findings highlight the importance of exploring both CGNC and gender differences among sexual minority couples. These results raise questions about why sexual minority women, who were more gender non-conforming during childhood, might seek out or pair with those who are more avoidant in their attachment. Conversely, sexual minority men who were more gender non-conforming as children were more anxiously attached, which aligns with previous findings in the literature. Findings point to likely different developmental experiences of CGNC for sexual minority men and women. More research is needed to understand how those experiences shape their romantic relationships in adulthood.