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Race Matters, Even in Marriage: Identifying Factors Linked to Marital Outcomes for African Americans
Author(s) -
Bryant Chalandra M.,
Wickrama K. A. S.,
Bolland John,
Bryant Barlynda M.,
Cutrona Carolyn E.,
Stanik Christine E.
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
journal of family theory and review
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.454
H-Index - 17
eISSN - 1756-2589
pISSN - 1756-2570
DOI - 10.1111/j.1756-2589.2010.00051.x
Subject(s) - race (biology) , stressor , population , african american , face (sociological concept) , psychology , marital status , demography , social psychology , gender studies , sociology , clinical psychology , ethnology , social science
Although many African Americans share a sociohistorical background, empirical research on family and marital processes has often overlooked a great deal of heterogeneity within the group. In addition, African Americans face different stressors and life circumstances from the general population. Given that a high proportion of African American marriages end in divorce and that African Americans report relatively low levels of marital quality, it is important to consider factors that may not be addressed in models of marriage that were developed using the majority population. We introduce a model that includes components relevant to understanding marriage among African Americans, including financial strain, racial discrimination, and minority status. Using the model, we review the literature and highlight gaps in existing research.