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35 - Examining Intimate Relationships across Black Populations with a Focus on Context

Socioeconomic Status and Racial Discrimination

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  09 February 2026

By
Chalandra M. Bryant ,
Doneila L. McIntosh  and
Kadija S. Mussa
Edited by
Anita L. Vangelisti ,
Daniel Perlman  and
Susan Sprecher
Anita L. Vangelisti
Affiliation:
University of Texas, Austin
Daniel Perlman
Affiliation:
University of North Carolina, Greensboro
Susan Sprecher
Affiliation:
Illinois State University
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Summary

This chapter addresses intimate relationships of Black populations, as well as the sociocultural and economic contexts in which they are embedded. The authors underscore the heterogeneity of Black populations both in, and outside of, the United States. How racial discrimination is experienced, and the impact of that experience, differs across Black populations – underscoring heterogeneity. While some research suggests that racial discrimination contributes to negative relationship dynamics, other work suggests that when some individuals experience racial discrimination their partners engage in supportive behaviors. Despite declines and delays in marriage, many U.S.-born Blacks are still pursuing marital unions and are happily married (Skipper & Taylor, 2021; Skipper et al., 2021). This is likely a function of relational resilience, or even the Black Advantage Vision as many U.S. Black couples adapt and strive in spite of seemingly unsurmountable stressors over which they have little control.

Keywords

Blacksimmigrantdiscriminationfinancial strainrelationships

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The Cambridge Handbook of Personal Relationships , pp. 744 - 765
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2026

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