Abstract

This study examined the direct actor/partner effects of self-esteem, coming to terms, and relationship quality and the indirect effects of self-esteem on relationship quality when mediated by coming to terms. The sample included 160 interracial couples of which 69.4% were made up of an African-American male and a Caucasian female, while 30.6 were made up of an African-American female and a Caucasian male. These couples completed the RELATionship Evaluation (RELATE), a survey questionnaire. This study used three variables from the RELATE: self-esteem, coming to terms, and relationship quality. Results from Structural Equation Modeling indicated that self-esteem had a negative effect on relationship quality in men and women. Female partner's negative self-esteem increased her male partner's likelihood of coming to terms, but male partner's negative self-esteem decreased his own likelihood of coming to terms. Coming to terms did not predict relationship quality in this study. The relatively satisfied couples of this sample suggest that interracial couples may not have poorer relationship quality than intraracial couples, as some previous research purports.

Degree

College and Department

Family, Home, and Social Sciences; Family Life; Marriage and Family Therapy

Rights

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