The complex contribution of sociodemographics to decision-making power in gay male couples.

Relationship power is an important dyadic construct in close relationships that is associated with relationship health and partner's individual health. Understanding what predicts power in heterosexual couples has proven difficult, and even less is known about gay couples. Resource models of power posit that demographic characteristics associated with social status (e.g., age, income) confer power within the relationship, which in turn shapes relationship outcomes. We tested this model in a sample of gay male couples (N = 566 couples) and extended it by examining race and HIV status. Multilevel modeling was used to test associations between demographic bases of power and decision-making power. We also examined relative associations among demographic bases and decision-making power with relationship satisfaction given the literature on power imbalances and overall relationship functioning. Results showed that individual income was positively associated with decision-making power, as was participant's HIV status, with HIV-positive men reporting greater power. Age differences within the relationship interacted with relationship length to predict decision-making power, but not satisfaction. HIV-concordant positive couples were less satisfied than concordant negative couples. Higher power partners were less satisfied than lower power partners. Demographic factors contributing to decision-making power among same-sex male couples appear to share some similarities with heterosexual couples (e.g., income is associated with power) and have unique features (e.g., HIV status influences power). However, these same demographics did not reliably predict relationship satisfaction in the manner that existing power theories suggest. Findings indicate important considerations for theories of power among same-sex male couples. (PsycINFO Database Record