Relationship between Internalized Racism and Marital Satisfaction

Abstract

This investigation evaluates the extent to which level of marital satisfaction is affected by level of internalized racism in a sample of 96 Black inner-city couples. The hypothesis that internalized racism is inversely related to marital satisfaction is marginally to acceptably supported. Husbands reporting more internalized racism tended to report less marital satisfaction just as wives reporting more internalized racism tended to report less marital satisfaction. Marital satisfaction of wives was not affected directly by internalized racism of husbands, nor was marital satisfaction of husbands directly affected by internalized racism of wives. However, since marital satisfaction of husbands and wives was moderately correlated, it is possible that the effect of internalized racism of one spouse on marital satisfaction of the other is mediated through explanatory links identified in this paper. The role of socioeconomic status in mediating relationships between internalized racism and marital status is examined along with implications.