Mutuality and relationship satisfaction in the formation of lesbian relationships across the life cycle: Unpacking the U-Haul myth

This study explored time periods of relationship formation among gay male, lesbian, and heterosexual couples. Participants ( N = 122) were solicited from summer festivals in Fresno, CA, but only half were used in analyses due to design error on the demographic questionnaire. Lesbian couples cohabited significantly faster than did heterosexual couples (n = 46, p < .05, F = 4.286). The time period from first date to making a commitment in lesbian couples was significantly correlated with relationship satisfaction ( r = .037). There were no significant differences among couple types in the ability to engage in relationships suggested by relational cultural theory. All three couple types showed significant correlations between relationship capacity, measured by the Mutual Psychological Development Questionnaire (Genero, Miller, Surry, & Baldwin, 1992), and relationship satisfaction, measured by the Kansas Marital Satisfaction Scale (Schumm et al., 1986).