Racial discrimination and romantic relationship dynamics among Black Americans: A systematic review

Abstract

Despite increasing research, the links between racial discrimination and Black Americans' romantic relationship dynamics remain unclear. Guided by models of mundane extreme environmental stress (Peters & Massey, 1983), sociocultural family stress (McNeil Smith & Landor, 2018), and Black marital outcomes (Bryant et al., 2010), we conducted a systematic review of the literature examining racial discrimination and relationship dynamics among Black Americans in same‐race and interracial romantic relationships. Synthesizing findings from 32 published empirical articles, we find support for manifestations of each component of MEES in Black intimate life. We uncover evidence that racial discrimination is associated with compromised relationship functioning for Black Americans. Several psychosocial resources were also identified as either buffering these associations or posing drawbacks/limitations for Black Americans. We discuss notable gaps in the literature and directions for future research including intersectional investigations, broader examination of the MEES context, and de‐centering whiteness among studies of interracial relationship dynamics.

Racial discrimination and parenting perceptions among low-income Black couples.

“…However, we did not find significant associations in our sample among racial discrimination and another domain of relationship functioning: dedication. Although the existing literature on the role of racism in romantic couples' functioning is still growing (Rice et al, 2023), prior studies have documented mixed findings of racial discrimination and romantic relationship functioning across outcomes. For example, a prior study of Black couples found some cross-partner associations of discrimination with aggression but no actor or partner associations with relationship satisfaction (Lavner et al, 2018).…”

Discrimination, gender, and class: An intersectional investigation of Black Americans’ personal and relational well-being.

“…Additionally, this study relied on a cross-sectional design and thus cannot make claims around causality or directionality. Prior research indicating an association between discrimination and relational well-being has largely been cross-sectional and longitudinal studies indicate no relation (Rice et al, 2023). When extant research is considered with the findings of this study, it appears that experiences of discrimination may have more micro-level effects.…”

“…However, in prior studies, scholars have focused on one aspect of relational well-being rather than considering multiple dimensions in unison which may contribute to the mixed literature and deficit-based perspectives of Black Americans’ relationships. Research assessing positive dimensions of relationship well-being (e.g., satisfaction, quality) is relatively mixed (see Rice et al, 2023, for review). On the one hand, cross-sectional (Kerr et al, 2018) and longitudinal studies (Riina & McHale, 2010) indicate that racial discrimination is negatively associated with positive dimensions of relationship well-being.…”

Predictors of change in relationship satisfaction among Black postpartum mothers

“…In contrast to the large body of research documenting the negative impact of racial discrimination on mental and physical health (see Carter et al, 2019), the impact of racial discrimination on relationship functioning is less clear (Bryant et al, 2010). Although racial discrimination can strain couple relationships, Black families commonly have resources and coping strategies that can mitigate these strains (e.g., Bryant et al, 2010;McNeil Smith & Landor, 2018;Rice et al, 2023). Some studies have found that racial discrimination can have negative impacts on couples' relationship functioning (see Rice et al, 2023), including their relationship satisfaction (e.g., Kerr et al, 2018;Lincoln & Chae, 2010).…”

“…Although racial discrimination can strain couple relationships, Black families commonly have resources and coping strategies that can mitigate these strains (e.g., Bryant et al, 2010;McNeil Smith & Landor, 2018;Rice et al, 2023). Some studies have found that racial discrimination can have negative impacts on couples' relationship functioning (see Rice et al, 2023), including their relationship satisfaction (e.g., Kerr et al, 2018;Lincoln & Chae, 2010). However, other studies have found that more frequent racial discrimination was not associated with relationship satisfaction among Black couples (Clavél et al, 2017;Lavner et al, 2018).…”