Romantic Relationship Quality, Depression, and Problematic Drinking: A Comparison of Single and Partnered Sexual and Gender Minority Adolescents

Abstract

Purpose: To compare mental health and substance use between single and partnered sexual and gender minority (SGM) adolescents in the context of romantic relationship quality.

Methods: SGM adolescents (aged 15-17 years) reported on their relationship status (single vs. partnered) and completed measures of mental health (depression, anxiety) and substance use (problematic drinking, recent cannabis use). Partnered SGM adolescents also reported on their romantic relationship quality.

Results: Relationship quality moderated the extent to which being partnered was associated with depression and problematic drinking. Partnered SGM adolescents with very low levels of relationship quality (2 standard deviations below the mean) and below reported higher depressive symptoms compared to single SGM adolescents (B = 1.02, p = .027). In contrast, partnered SGM adolescents with low levels of relationship quality and above did not differ from single adolescents on depressive symptom scores. Partnered SGM adolescents with very low levels of relationship quality reported higher problematic drinking (B = 1.21, p = .006) compared to single SGM adolescents; meanwhile, partnered SGM adolescents with high levels of relationship quality (1 standard deviation above the mean) had lower problematic drinking scores compared to single SGM adolescents (B = -1.10, p = .003).

Discussion: Findings underscore the importance of integrating both relationship status and quality in studies of SGM adolescent health. Compared to single SGM adolescents, very low-quality romantic relationships are associated with depression symptoms and problematic alcohol use, while high-quality romantic relationships may be protective with respect to problematic drinking. Early romantic relationship skill training to increase relationship quality may promote healthy mental health and substance use outcomes in SGM adolescents.

Keywords: Adolescents; Alcohol; Depression; LGBT; Romantic relationships; Sexual minority.