Affiliation:
1. Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Blacksburg Virginia USA
2. University of Illinois Urbana‐Champaign Champaign Illinois USA
3. Lipscomb University Nashville Tennessee USA
Abstract
AbstractDespite 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.
Funder
National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities
National Science Foundation
Subject
Social Sciences (miscellaneous),Social Psychology,Health (social science)