Maybe, maybe not: Racial discourse and worldview in interracial relationships.

Abstract

Using a multidimensional understanding of race, the present study investigated whether racial worldview informs the initiation of discussions of race within interracial relationships. Two hundred three individuals in interracial relationships completed measures to assess their perceptions of the intrapersonal, interpersonal, and institutional implications of race and ethnicity and indicated whether they discussed race with their romantic partner. Responses to open-ended questions were coded using consensual qualitative research methods. Using K-means cluster analysis, participants were grouped based on racial worldview and differences in the prevalence of themes were tested. Findings revealed differences in whether race was discussed and the content of the discussion (e.g., differences in culture, intrarelationship difficulties, or institutional discrimination) by worldview. Individuals' multifaceted understanding of race impacts their discussion of race within their relationship. Racial worldview is a promising concept for a proximal assessment of the influence of race in interracial relationships and interactions across race more broadly.

Stigma and Relationship Quality: The Relevance of Racial-Ethnic Worldview in Interracial Relationships in the United States

“…This conclusion is especially illuminating considering prior research on REW. Mixed-method analyses have indicated that some color-blind types are less likely to discuss race openly with their partner (Brooks et al, 2021a ) and that Multiculturalist types are more likely to discuss issues of systemic racism and efforts to mitigate its impact (i.e., social protest movements; Brooks et al, 2021a ). This is especially encouraging as prior research has found that these conversations can be tense or dismissive of one person's experience (Killian, 2002 ), or even limited to understanding the difference in the race as inherently problematic (Brummett, 2017 ).…”

“…It appears that a critical and multidimensional understanding of race and racism informs subjective experiences in relationships. Prior research has shown that REW affects what impact individuals believe race has on their interracial relationships as well as what specific topics are discussed (Brooks et al, 2021a , b ). The existing research could not directly assess whether there were impacts of these discussions on relationship functioning, the current study takes a step closer to understanding the implications of these conversations.…”

“…A developing body of research has shown that Racial-ethnic Worldview impacts whether partners in interracial relationships initiate discussions about race in their relationship (Brooks et al, 2021a ). Brooks et al ( 2021b ) classified individuals in interracial relationships with those who had a strong understanding of institutional, interpersonal, and intrapersonal aspects of race as Multiculturalists, and subdivided those with a relatively lesser understanding of institutionalized racism and poorer intergroup attitudes as Color-blind types.…”

“…They concluded that those who (a) deny institutional forms of racism (b) are less certain of the intrapersonal meaning of race or ethnicity, and (c) have poorer interpersonal attitudes toward other groups (Color-blind types), were more likely to report not discussing race. On the other hand, issues of discrimination and systemic racism were more likely to be discussed by interracial partners with (a) a strong intrapersonal sense of ethnicity, (b) positive intergroup attitudes, and (c) who were less likely to deny institutional forms of racism and racial privilege (Brooks et al, 2021a ). Pertinent to the current study, Racial-ethnic Worldview has implications for the perception and awareness of stigma as well.…”

“…Similar to RQ1, because of the novelty of this person-centered approach, we are not able to offer specifically a priori distinctions. However, it is plausible that acknowledging issues of institutional racism may benefit individuals in interracial relationships as they are more likely to discuss interpersonal forms of racism and individual discrimination with their partners (Brooks et al, 2021a ). This may lead to better perceptions of quality as partners may be able to support each other.…”