A new study published in The Journal of Sex Research suggests that the material fallout from the end of a committed relationship may be linked to higher levels of ambiguity about sexual identity. The research, conducted by Grace A. O’Toole and colleagues at Kansas State University, surveyed 493 adults across the United States who had ended a serious relationship within the previous two years.
Rooted in life course theory and identity process theory, the study frames major life disruptions as turning points that can reshape a person’s sense of self. When social circumstances change rapidly, individuals may undergo a processing period in which they adapt or revise their identity.
It notes that sexuality comprises attractions, behaviours and internal labels, and that these components do not always neatly align. Ambiguity arises when someone perceives their sexual identity as changing, uncertain or in flux, a phenomenon not confined to adolescence but possible at any adult stage.
Participants completed surveys on how the breakup affected them psychologically (emotional and attitudinal changes) and materially (practical disruptions such as moving house, losing shared friends or altered finances). They also answered questions measuring sexual orientation ambiguity and uncertainty.
Statistical analysis looked for associations between the breakup’s severity and reported ambiguity, controlling for gender, race, sexual orientation and the seriousness of the prior relationship.
Findings showed a link between the material consequences of a split and sexual identity ambiguity: respondents who reported greater concrete lifestyle disruption tended to report higher levels of sexual orientation ambiguity.
By contrast, the psychological impact of the breakup did not emerge as a significant predictor of ambiguity in sexual orientation within the study’s models.
The researchers also observed differences across groups. Bisexual individuals reported higher levels of ambiguity than heterosexual participants, aligning with prior expectations about the social challenges bisexual people often face. Those identifying as genderqueer showed greater ambiguity than cisgender men, and Black participants reported higher ambiguity than White participants.
Additionally, whether participants had cohabited with their former partner mattered: those who had lived together reported less ambiguity than those who had only been dating seriously.
Authors suggest a broader public discussion of sexual development and note that sexuality can be fluid across the lifespan. They also argue therapists and counsellors should be mindful that material disruptions can trigger identity shifts in clients.
However, the study relies on cross-sectional data, which means it can only show correlations rather than causation. The researchers acknowledge that it is possible that existing ambiguity contributed to the breakup as well as vice versa. The sample was largely heterosexual, cisgender and White, which limits the generalisability of the findings. They also point out that the measures used to assess sexual ambiguity were primarily developed for younger adults, signalling a need for testing across broader age ranges.
The study is titled Understanding Sexual Orientation Ambiguity: Perceptions of Transitional Impacts in the Context of a Relationship Dissolution, and is authored by Grace A. O’Toole, Peyton Woods, Kristin M. Anders, Jared Durtschi and Anthony J. Ferraro.
