Black and White Couples: Exploring the Role of Religiosity on Perceived Racial Discrimination and Relationship Satisfaction

Abstract

The current study set out to examine the influence of religiosity on the relationship between interracial Black-White (IBW) couples’ perceived discrimination and marital satisfaction. Data from 178 Black-White couples were used to test a common fate moderation model. Results revealed a negative association between partners’ perceived discrimination and marital satisfaction. Also, White partners’ religiosity was found to moderate the effects of discrimination on satisfaction, whereby a higher level of religiosity contributed to higher satisfaction when couples experienced discrimination. Results suggested that religiosity may be an important resource to help Black-White couples manage discrimination stress.

Keywords:

• Black-White couples
• discrimination
• interracial marriage
• relationship satisfaction
• religiosity

Acknowledgment

The authors thank Dr. Joyce Baptist for her generous support in providing data for this study.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.