Are gay men more insecurely attached than heterosexual men in romantic relationships? Perceived relationship stability, rather than relationship history, matters

Previous studies comparing romantic attachment between sexual minority and heterosexual individuals have yielded inconsistent findings, and the relational factors that may account for these differences remain insufficiently understood. Perceived romantic relationship stability may be particularly relevant because adult attachment can remain responsive to later relational experiences, while sexual minority relationships are embedded in social and structural contexts that may influence expectations about their continuity and security. The present study examined whether gay men exhibit higher levels of attachment anxiety and avoidance than heterosexual men, and whether these differences are mediated by perceived romantic relationship stability. A sample of 603 emerging adult men (303 gay and 300 heterosexual men) aged 20–29 from Shanghai, China, completed measures of attachment dimensions, perceived romantic relationship stability, and romantic history. Gay men reported significantly higher attachment anxiety and avoidance than heterosexual men. However, these group differences were fully mediated by perceived romantic relationship stability, but not by romantic relationship history. These findings underscore the importance of perceived relationship stability as a proximal relational factor associated with attachment dimensions, particularly for minority groups facing structural and cultural barriers. The current study highlights that understanding adult attachment requires considering not only general socioecological conditions but also the unique minority stress experienced by minority populations. Accordingly, reducing structural sources of minority stress may also have implications for relational security. Policies supporting same-sex relationship recognition and anti-discrimination protections may be relevant to gay men’s perceived romantic relationship stability. Greater perceived stability may, in turn, be associated with lower attachment anxiety and avoidance.