Kirk, Krista E

Smith Mize, Brooke

Liberty University Digital Commons

MIXED ORIENTATION MARRIAGES: CHARACTERISTICS, CHALLENGES AND COUNSELING MIZE/KIRKAbstractMixed orientation marriages are heterosexually identified marriages in which one spouse is same-sex attracted and the other spouse is heterosexually attracted.  In reviewing the literature where husbands experience same-sex attraction within a heterosexually identified marriage, prominent themes that occur within both spouses are anxiety, depression, and existential destress (Hopwood et al., 2020).  For heterosexually attracted wives, there can be experiences of disorientation, perceived loss of femininity, and grief upon either the disclosure or the discovery that their spouse experiences same-sex attraction (Adler & Ben-Ari, 2018; Hernandez et. al, 2011).  Individuals in mixed-orientation marriages often struggle to navigate the complexities of their relationship, especially if that couple wants to remain married. The purpose of this presentation is to help counselors, counselors-in-training, and educators to become aware of the unique challenges experienced by each spouse as well as introduce counselors to a strategic model that can help couples thrive and sustain their marriages.   This poster presentation serves to help answer the question, “How can counselors help couples in a heterosexually identified marriage, where one spouse experiences same-sex attraction, gain positive outcomes for both their personal wellness and marriage satisfaction?”  The RECAST Model is a combination of existing research on what makes marriages resilient and what factors add to resiliency in individuals who are in a mixed orientation marriage.  The purpose of this strategic model is to promote the wellness of each individual, improve marriage satisfaction, and increase hope in couples for better outcomes as they commit to common goals in their relationship.  The components highlighted in this model include: (1) transparent communication between the spouses, (2) education on same-sex attraction, (3) religious resilience factors, (4) sexual coping, (5) a unified relationship vision, and (5) developing an authentic sense of self. Implications for future research will be discussed. 

Mixed Orientation Marriages: Characteristics, Challenges, and Counseling

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