In the wake of discrimination: Romantic relationship commitment, self-disclosure, and intimacy
Abstract
To date, no work has examined the consequences of emotional self-disclosures about a discriminatory event(s) on the functioning of a romantic relationship. The present research seeks to determine whether emotional disclosures about race-based discrimination influence the relationship quality of same-race (African-American) and interracial (African-American & White) couples. Drawing from theory in relationship science and intergroup relations, links among commitment and the key components of the intimacy process (emotional self-disclosures, perceived partner responsiveness, intimacy) are proposed and tested. Two studies were conducted. In Study 1 (N = 104), individual reports were collected. In Study 2 (N = 156 couples), reports were collected from both couple members. Actor and partner effects were tested using the Actor- Partner Interdependence Model (APIM) factorial method, as were couple-level effects. Mediation analyses of the dyadic data revealed that own (actor) partner responsiveness partially mediated the link between own (actor) levels of emotional self-disclosures and own (actor) felt intimacy in the relationship. Relationship type and status-based rejection sensitivity moderated some links. Significant partner and couple-level effects demonstrated the motivational role of commitment in predicting emotional disclosures. Implications for relationship dissolution and prosocial transformations are discussed.
Degree
Ph.D.
Advisors
Agnew, Purdue University.
Subject Area
Social psychology|Communication|Quantitative psychology
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