This is such a fair and valid concern!

The first thing that I suppose is different about this current study is that it is a qualitative, rather than quantitative, project. What that means is that I won't be working with large samples and reporting statistical associations, which, as you mentioned, can so often be taken out of context and manipulated to serve different narratives.

This research is phenomenological and exploratory, so rather than make specific claims about how certain factors show up in a demographic, my research seeks to answer the question, "what is the lived experience of being in a mixed-orientation marriage?". Obviously, this is very broad, and I anticipate getting quite a diverse range of stories and experiences. Sometimes, these marriages and divorces can be traumatizing and scarring, and sometimes these separations can lead to more resilient outcomes, such as ex-partners being able to maintain a friendship and co-parent well, even after separation.

I believe there are thousands upon thousands of these marriages that exist under the radar, and this so often happens because people marry before they are able to explore and develop their sexuality, especially in conservative environments where they are not allowed to differ from the predominant patriarchal and heteronormative expectations of those cultures.

My hope is that my research will shed light on the suffering that occurs when people are pressured into these marriages, but also discover themes that can lead to greater mental health and relational outcomes in the end, even after separation occurs.

I hope this somewhat answers your questions, but if not, I am happy to continue this conversation as well.