Balderrama-Durbin Christina, Cigrang Jeffrey A, Snyder Douglas K, Gupta Avantika, Slep Amy M Smith, Heyman Richard E, Parsons Aleja M, Simonson Jordan, Lindahl Kristin M, Pound Leah
Department of Psychology, Binghamton University (SUNY), Binghamton, New York.
School of Professional Psychology, Wright State University, Dayton, Ohio.
Mil Psychol. 2025;37(5):494-506. doi: 10.1080/08995605.2024.2396174. Epub 2024 Sep 6.
Despite the repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" (DADT) over a decade ago, military processes and policies continue to function as significant structural and institutional barriers to research aimed at optimizing resources for military couples and families with marginalized sexual identities. Such research is essential given the apparent mental health and related disparities among lesbian, gay, bisexual, and those with other marginalized sexual identities (LGB+) active-duty service members (SMs), as well as the absence of appropriately tailored resources to support these members of the military community. In this paper, we review the empirical literature on the experiences and psychological health of LGB+ military couples, revealing severe limitations in our understanding of these diverse military romantic partnerships. We illuminate process-related barriers to conducting this essential research through an illustrative case example. Our review concludes with specific recommendations for reform and advocacy distinguished by coordinated efforts inclusive of all five military branches, policymakers, military leaders, researchers, and LGB+ stakeholders.
尽管十多年前就废除了“不问不说”政策（DADT），但军事程序和政策仍然是旨在为具有边缘化性取向的军人夫妇和家庭优化资源的研究的重大结构和制度障碍。鉴于女同性恋、男同性恋、双性恋以及其他具有边缘化性取向的现役军人（LGB+）明显存在心理健康及相关差异，且缺乏适当的针对性资源来支持这些军人社区成员，此类研究至关重要。在本文中，我们回顾了关于LGB+军人夫妇经历和心理健康的实证文献，揭示了我们对这些多样的军事浪漫伴侣关系的理解存在严重局限性。我们通过一个示例案例阐明了开展这项重要研究的与过程相关的障碍。我们的综述最后提出了改革和倡导的具体建议，这些建议的特点是包括所有五个军种、政策制定者、军事领导人、研究人员以及LGB+利益相关者在内的各方协调努力。
