Multidimensional Racism‐Related Stress and the Undermining of Black Romantic Relationships

ABSTRACTObjectiveThe objective of this study was to examine the relative and compounded associations between two dimensions of racism‐related stress (interpersonal racial discrimination and vicarious racism‐related stress connected to social movements stemming from the murder of George Floyd) and Black Americans' romantic relationship satisfaction and conflict.BackgroundInterpersonal experiences of racial discrimination have been consistently associated with compromised psychological functioning, and a burgeoning literature demonstrates that racial discrimination undermines romantic relationships. However, most research in family and relationship science examines a single dimension of racism‐related stress, with much of this work focusing on interpersonal racial discrimination. Additionally, little research attends to specific, highly publicized instances of vicarious racism‐related stress.MethodSecondary, cross‐sectional data from 447 partnered Black Americans collected in 2020/2021 from the National Couples' Health and Time Study (NCHAT) were used. Hypotheses were examined using weighted hierarchical linear regressions.ResultsFindings indicated that racial discrimination and vicarious racism‐related stress were each associated with lower relationship satisfaction and greater relationship conflict. Moreover, the negative association between racial discrimination and relationship conflict was magnified among people who experienced more vicarious racism‐related stress. Sensitivity analyses suggest that these findings may be specific to partnered Black men.ConclusionFamily and relationship scholars should shift from a singular focus on assessments of interpersonal racial discrimination to instead more comprehensively assess multiple dimensions of racism‐related stress.