Sex Differences in Interpersonal Problems: Does Sexual Orientation Moderate?

• Published in: The journal of psychology Vol. 147; no. 1; pp. 75 - 87
• Main Authors: Lee, Debbiesiu L., Harkless, Lynn E., Sheridan, Daniel J., Winakur, Emily, Fowers, Blaine J.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Taylor & Francis Group 01.01.2013; Taylor & Francis Inc
• Subjects: Adult; Assertiveness; Conflict (Psychology); Female; gay men; Gays & lesbians; Gender differences; Gender Identity; Heterosexuality; Heterosexuality - psychology; Heterosexuals; Homosexuality, Female - psychology; Homosexuality, Male - psychology; Homosexuals; Humans; Interpersonal influence; Interpersonal problems; Interpersonal Relations; Lesbianism; Lesbians; Male; Middle Aged; Personality Inventory - statistics & numerical data; Psychometrics; Sex Characteristics; sex differences; Sex differentiation; Sexual orientation; Sexuality; Women
• ISSN: 0022-3980; 1940-1019
• DOI: 10.1080/00223980.2012.676575

Sexual orientation was examined as a moderator in the relation between biological sex and interpersonal problems. Participants were 60 lesbians, 45 heterosexual women, 37 gay men, and 39 heterosexual men, who completed the Inventory of Interpersonal Problems-Circumplex. Sexual orientation was found to moderate one of the eight interpersonal problems under study. Heterosexual women scored significantly higher than lesbian women in Non-assertive. Although hypothesized, gay men did not differ from heterosexual men along the Dominant-Cold quadrant. Implications of these results are discussed.