Relationship Adjustment in African American/White Interracial Couples

<p>Interracial intimate partnerships are at greater risk for relationship dissolution (i.e., divorce or permanent separation in cohabitating couples) than their endogamous counterparts (Bratter & King, 2008). However, a disparity in dissolution rates exists between African American male/White female pairings and African American female/White male pairings. This study sought to elucidate psychological variables that may be related to this sizable discrepancy. It was hypothesized that differences between these pairings exist with regard to color-blindness, empathy, sexism, and relationship adjustment. It was further hypothesized that color-blindness, empathy, and sexism, as controlled for by gender and race, would predict relationship adjustment.</p> <p>Participants included African American male/White female and African American female/White male partners. Participants were asked to individually complete all surveys and questionnaires (i.e., demographic questionnaire, Color-Blind Racial Attitudes Scale, Interpersonal Reactivity Index, The Ambivalent Sexism Inventory, and The Revised Dyadic Adjustment Scale) through Survey Monkey. Data were gathered through four internet-based processes: (a) a specially created Facebook® page for the study and additional postings on Facebook® forums; (b) a snowball effect of emailing the study out to all friends and family in present author's email account; (c) the study's link was posted on Craigslist; (d) and finally, an email was sent out to university undergraduate and graduate departments around the United States. Sample sizes varied from n=34 to n=40 for each analysis. African American men were removed from the data analyses, as there were not enough participants from this group. Results of the study did not show statistically significant differences between African American women, White women, or White men among any of the variables, with the exception of empathy. In terms of empathy, African American women and White women scored significantly higher on empathic concern than White men. Furthermore, the variables did not significantly predict relationship adjustment as hypothesized. Implications of the results and recommendations for future research are discussed.</p>

Name thesis:degree_name

Ph.D.

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Year dc:date.available

2013

Author dc:creator

• Muino, Elizabeth Rose

Contributors dc:contributor

• Jesse N. Valdez, Ph.D.
• Barbara M. Vollmer
• Kathy Green
• Michele Hanna

• Color-blind
• Couples
• Empathy
• Interracial
• Relationship adjustment
• Sexism
• Counseling Psychology
• Psychology
• Race, Ethnicity and Post-Colonial Studies

Statement dc:rights

• <p>Copyright is held by the author. User is responsible for all copyright compliance.</p>

Language dc:language

en

Repository record dc:identifier

https://digitalcommons.du.edu/etd/459

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:digitalcommons.du.edu:etd-1458