The impact of sociocultural factors on relationship quality for African American couples
Description
TitleThe impact of sociocultural factors on relationship quality for African American couples
Date Created2017
Other Date2017-10 (degree)
Extent1 online resource (v, 47 p. : ill.)
DescriptionCompared to their White counterparts, African Americans have higher never-married and divorce rates, greater complaints of negative partner behavior, and lower relationship quality (e.g. Philips & Sweeney, 2005), and this instability is not solely attributable to structural factors such as socioeconomic status (Bulanda & Brown, 2007). The current study examined internalized racism and television media, sociocultural factors theorized to play a unique role in relationship quality for Black couples. It was hypothesized that internalized racism would predict lower relationship quality. Furthermore, it was hypothesized that greater television viewing would predict lower relationship quality, and proportions of Black-oriented and mainstream programming viewed by participants were examined to explore the impact, if any, of race. The sample was comprised of 112 African Americans in a romantic relationship (n = 22 couples or 44 participants of the total 112 sample), and the data were examined for dependency of participant scores. No significant differences between coupled and non-coupled participants were found, allowing for the use of the full sample. Consistent with previous research and expectations, hierarchical linear regressions revealed that internalized racism was a significant predictor of poorer relationship quality. However, contrary to predictions and emerging research, no television viewing variables significantly predicted relationship quality. Implications of the aforementioned findings, study limitations, and future directions are discussed.
NotePh.D.
NoteIncludes bibliographical references
Noteby Kiara Chanel Caryl Wesley
Genretheses, ETD doctoral
Languageeng
CollectionSchool of Graduate Studies Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Organization NameRutgers, The State University of New Jersey
RightsThe author owns the copyright to this work.
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