Have you Thought About it Through your Partners Point of View? Perspective Taking may be Key for Interracial Relationships
What is the issue?
In the United States there has been a rise in interracial couples, specifically Black-White couples, and Hispanic-White couples. However, due to the current racial climate Black and Hispanic people are experiencing high stress due to the great deal of discrimination they are facing. Not only are partners of color experiencing high levels of stress, but so are White partners who are in interracial relationships. Overall, experiencing discrimination either directly or indirectly is correlated to poor health outcomes like high blood pressure and mental health problems.
What is the purpose of this investigation?
Dr. Abigail J. Caselli and Dr. Laura Machia examined the ways in which perspective-taking reduced momentary stress and stress related to discrimination for White partners in interracial relationships. Perspective-taking is to view a situation from another person’s point of view and in this case, a White partner would view discrimination through the lens of their Black or Hispanic partner. For this study there were a total of 292 participants who were White, were in an interracial (Black or Hispanic partner) heterosexual relationship for over six months, lived in the United States, and was over the age of 18. Each participant was asked to write out a hypothetical situation in which their partner had experienced discrimination.
What were the results?
Through analysis it was found that momentary stress was reduced for White partners who engage in perspective-taking when thinking about an instance where their Black or Hispanic partner would experience discrimination. Additionally, there was evidence to support the idea that because momentary stress was reduced when engaging in perspective-taking the overall relationship satisfaction and commitment increased for Black-White or Hispanic-White interracial relationships.
What are the implications?
Despite having an added level of stress due to experiencing discrimination interracial relationships can still be successful. Preserving the health status of a romantic interracial relationship is possible if White partners can take a step back and imagine themselves in their partners situation. Overall, Dr. Caselli and Machia have provided promising evidence that through perspective-taking relationship quality and overall satisfaction will increase for people in interracial romantic relationships.
