INTERRACIAL COUPLES: THE IMPACT OF RACE AND GENDER ON ONE'S EXPERIENCE OF DISCRIMINATION BASED ON THE RACE OF THE PARTNER

Abstract

Interracial marriages are on the rise in the United States. This study examined whether race and gender influenced the way partners in interracial marriages perceive discrimination and if a difference in perception of discrimination would negatively impact their level of marital quality. Results showed that there was no significant effect for race, gender, or their combination on perceived discrimination, and no relationship was found between individuals' perception of discrimination and marital quality. However, couples that had shared perceptions of the level of discrimination they experienced were less ambivalent about their relationship than were couples that did not have shared perception. This finding is discussed in light of previous research and clinical implications.