Black and White Couples: Exploring the Role of Religiosity on Perceived Racial Discrimination and Relationship Satisfaction

Anti-Muslim Hatred in the U.S.: Couple Therapy Implications for Discriminated Muslim Couples

“…Conversely, maladaptive strategies may exacerbate the situation byleading to conflict and harm to the victims and those close to them. Being in a minority and feeling rejected by society can often cause stress and tension between romantic partners (Baptist et al, 2018;Genc & Baptist, 2020;Genc & Su, 2021).…”

“…Such experiences can harm interaction between the partners, leading to invalidation, negative interpretation, and avoidance or withdrawal (Genc & Baptist, 2020;Markman, Stanley, & Blumberg, 2010). These negative styles of communication and interaction in turn cause relationship dissatisfaction, marital distress, reduced marital quality, relationship dissolution or separation,and higher divorce rates (Cox, Buhr, Owen, & Davidson, 2016;Genc & Baptist, 2020;Genc & Su, 2021). On the other hand, these difficult experiences may strengthen intimate relationships through creating chances for closeness and support.…”

“…On the other hand, these difficult experiences may strengthen intimate relationships through creating chances for closeness and support. Thus, the relationship may function better through increased commitment, stability, and satisfaction (Baptist et al, 2018;Genc & Su, 2021;Kamen, Burns, & Beach, 2011).…”

“…Previous studies of minority couples (e.g., interracial and same-sex couples) provide some insights into minority discrimination and relationship outcomes. For instance, discrimination experiences reduce relationship satisfaction and interaction in interracial couples (e.g., Baptist et al, 2018;Genc &Su, 2021), although minority couples canmitigate the destructiveeffectsof discrimination and protecttheir relationships (e.g., Baptist et al, 2018;Gamarel et al, 2014;Genc & Su, 2021). In particular, relationship maintenance strategies, such as positivity, honesty, problem solving skills, joint coping skills, and religiosity, lessen the effects of discrimination and strengthen relationship quality (Baptist et al, 2018;Genc & Baptist, 2020;Genc & Su, 2021).…”

“…For instance, discrimination experiences reduce relationship satisfaction and interaction in interracial couples (e.g., Baptist et al, 2018;Genc &Su, 2021), although minority couples canmitigate the destructiveeffectsof discrimination and protecttheir relationships (e.g., Baptist et al, 2018;Gamarel et al, 2014;Genc & Su, 2021). In particular, relationship maintenance strategies, such as positivity, honesty, problem solving skills, joint coping skills, and religiosity, lessen the effects of discrimination and strengthen relationship quality (Baptist et al, 2018;Genc & Baptist, 2020;Genc & Su, 2021). These responses could be essential in lessening the destructive impacts of discrimination on Muslim couples since, like minority couples, they may also use similar strategies to improve their relationships and alleviate the effects of religionbased discrimination.…”