Cross-Group Relationship Satisfaction: A Meta-Analysis

Abstract

Cross-group relationships are defined as romantic relationships involving two individuals from distinct racial or ethnic groups. For this paper, the terms “interethnic” and “interracial” are used as specifiers for the two umbrella terms, “intergroup” and “cross-group.” Previous studies that examined whether cross-group romantic relationships are more or less satisfying than intragroup (i.e., same-group) romantic relationships have yielded discrepant findings. Through a systematic review and meta-analysis of 27 studies, we found that there is no significant difference between cross-group and intergroup relationship satisfaction (aggregate d = 0.024, 95% CI [−0.076; 0.123]). Tests of moderation found that the amount of Asian participants included in individual studies on cross-group relationship satisfaction is significantly associated with effect size d (β = 0.005, p= 0.02; 95% CI [0.001; 0.008]).

Keywords:

• marriage
• couples
• relationships
• interracial
• interethnic
• cross-group
• satisfaction