Social Acceptance and Relationship Satisfaction among Interracial Heterosexual Couples in Ottawa City, Canada

Interracial couples are confronted by unique challenges that are exacerbated by social prejudice and the associated problems of access to social support systems, with implications on relationship satisfaction. This research explored the role of social acceptance on relationship satisfaction among interracial heterosexual couples in Ottawa City, Canada. The research specifically utilized an interpretive phenomenological research design. A sample size of 10 heterosexual interracial couples was selected through snowball sampling. A structured in-depth interview method of data collection was applied. Thematic data analysis techniques were used, data was presented using theme tables while data analysis and discussion was supported by verbatim excerpts. The findings revealed mixed experiences regarding social acceptance and rejection in interracial marriages. Thematic analysis identified two primary themes and six sub-themes. The first theme, Social Acceptance as a Marital Satisfaction Enhancer, included Family Acceptance and Positive Societal Stereotyping as sub-themes. The second theme, Interracial Marital Relationship Stigma as a Stress Factor, encompassed Overt Racial Prejudice, Self-Stigma, Societal Stigma, and Negative Stereotyping. It was concluded that the interaction between social acceptance and relationship satisfaction among interracial heterosexual couples is complex. It was thus recommended that therapeutic interventions strengthen self-agency of interracial couples. Future studies should be extended to rural areas.

Social Acceptance, Stigma, Relationship Satisfaction, Interracial Marriages, Heterosexual Couples

1. Akinyode, B. F., & Khan, T. H. (2018). Step-by-step approach for qualitative data analysis. International Journal of Built Environment and Sustainability, 5(3), 163-174. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

2. Asenahabi, B. M. (2019). Basics of research design: A guide to selecting appropriate research design. International Journal of Contemporary Applied Researches, 6(5), 76-89. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

3. Braun, V. & Clarke, V. (2019). Reflecting on reflexive thematic analysis. Qualitative research in sport, exercise and health, 11(4), 589-597. https://doi.org/10.1080/2159676X.2019.1628806 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

4. Brown, C. C., Williams, Z., & Durtschi, J. A. (2019). Trajectories of interracial heterosexual couples: A longitudinal analysis of relationship quality and separation. Journal of marital and family therapy, 45(4), 650-667. DOI: 10.1111/jmft.12363 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

5. Calnas, J. M., Miller, R. B., Busby, D. M., & Carroll, J. S. (2015). Same-race and interracial Asian-White couples: Relational and social context and relationship outcomes. Journal of Comparative Family Studies, 46(3), 307-328. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

6. Choi, K. H., Goldberg, R. E., & Denice, P. A. (2022). Stability and outcomes of interracial cohabitation before and after transitions to marriage. Demographic Research, 46(33), 957-1006. DOI: 10.4054/DemRes.2022.46.33 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

7. Csizmadia, A., & Lopez, A. S. (2019). College students’ attitudes toward interracial relationships: Variations by student race and campus type. Archives of Psychology, 3(5), 1-10. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

8. Das, B. & Tripathi, D. (2017). Nonprobability and probability sampling. Communication Research 1 (1), 1-10. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

9. Deitz, S. L. (2016). A theoretical framework of interracial couple relationship success: Empirical findings from a sample of black-white couples in the United States. [Unpublished Dissertation, Kansas State University]. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

10. Dew, J. (2020). Ten years of marriage and cohabitation research in the journal of family and economic issues. Journal of Family and Economic Issues, 42(1), 52–61. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10834-020-09723-7 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

11. Duckett, L. J. (2021). Quantitative research excellence: Study design and reliable and valid measurement of variables. Journal of Human Lactation, 37(3), 456-463. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

12. Ferrell, M. (2021). Interracial marriage in North America: A case study of interracial relationships in Chatham-Ontari 1901-1921. [Unpublished Dissertation, University of UWindsor]. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

13. Greif, G. L., & Saviet, M. (2020). In-law relationships among interracial couples: A preliminary view. Journal of Human Behavior in the Social Environment, 30(5), 605-620. https://doi.org/10.1080/10911359.2020.1732254 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

14. Henderson, A. K. & Brantley, M. J. (2019). Parents just don’t understand: Parental support, religion and depressive symptoms among same-race and interracial relationships. Religions, 10(162), 1-17. Doi:10.3390/rel10030162 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

15. Henderson, E. K. (2019). Cross-group relationship satisfaction: A meta-analysis. https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/etd/8477 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

16. Irby-Shasanmi, A., & Erving, C. L. (2022). Do discrimination and negative interactions with family explain the relationship between interracial relationship status and mental disorder? Socius, 8, 1-16. https://doi.org/10.1177/23780231221124852 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

17. Jibeen, T. (2019). Influence of acculturative stress on marital satisfaction: Moderation effect of gender role and communication styles in Pakistani immigrants. Community Development, 50 (5), 536-556. DOI: 10.1080/15575330.2019.1656659 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

18. Kerney, A. (2021). Interracial relationships: The history, growth, and effects on individuals and society. [Unpublished Thesis, Murray State University]. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

19. Kumar, H. A. (2021). Intermarriages in India: A review of literature. Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research, 8(2), 620-631. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

20. Lengyell, R. (2020). Interracial couples and parenting: An exploration of interracial couples’ experiences with parenting mixed-race children in the greater Toronto area. University of Toronto. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

21. Lewandowski, A. C. (2021). As different as black and white: A comparison between interracial divorce and endogamous divorce. [Unpublished Master’s Thesis, Western Michigan University]. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

22. Lopez, A., Sheehan, C., & Yahirun, J. (2022). Interracial unions and sleep duration among heterosexual American adults. SSM – Population Health, 1-9. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssmph.2022.101188 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

23. Lykke, L. C. & Rendall, M. S. (2018). Interracial and inter-ethnic marriage and cohabitation and self-rated health. Research and Methodology Directorate, Center for Survey Measurement Study Series (Survey Methodology #2018-03). U.S. Census Bureau.http://www.census.gov/content/dam/Census/library/working-papers/2018/adrm/rsm2018-03.pdf [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

24. McIntyre, D. (2018). Ethnic identity and adult attachment as correlates of relationship satisfaction among white, black, and interracial couples. [Unpublished PhD Dissertation, Andrews University]. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

25. Migliore, L. A., & Killian, J. M. (2018). Ethical considerations for nursing research with military populations. Annual review of nursing research, 36(1), 107-129. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

26. Miles, S. (2018). Interethnic marriages in the United States: An in-depth look at marital challenges. [Unpublished Senior Thesis, University of South Carolina]. https://scholarcommons.sc.edu/senior_theses/223 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

27. Müller-Funk, L. (2021). Research with refugees in fragile political contexts: How ethical reflections impact methodological choices. Journal of Refugee Studies, 34(2), 2308-2332. https://doi.org/10.1093/jrs/feaa013 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

28. Namvaran, G. K., Moradi, A., Farzad, V. & Zahrakar, K. (2017). Identifying the dimensions of marital adjustment in Iranian couples: A qualitative study. Journal of Health and Care, 19(3), 182-194. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

29. Neuendorf, K. A. (2018). Content analysis and thematic analysis. Routledge [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

30. Osanami T. S. (2018). Playing the safe card or playing the race card? Comparison of attitudes towards interracial marriages with non-white migrants and transnational adoptees in Sweden. Comparative Migration Studies, 6(1), 1-17. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40878-018-0074-6 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

31. Richards, K. A. R., & Hemphill, M. A. (2018). A practical guide to collaborative qualitative data analysis. Journal of Teaching in Physical Education, 37(2), 225-231. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

32. Shiyoka, S. K. (2019). Crossing the boundary: Transnationality and interracial marriage encounters in Jane Katjavivi’s Undisciplined Heart and Trudie Amulungu’s Taming my Elephant. [Unpublished Masters Thesis, the University of Namibia]. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

33. Statistics Canada (2022). Censors Population: a detailed statistical portrait of Canada and its people by their demographic, social, and economic characteristics. Statistics Canada. https://www.statcan.gc.ca/en/start [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

34. Tran, V. C. (2019). Coming of age in multi-ethnic America: young adults’ experiences with diversity. Ethnic and Racial Studies, 48(1), 35-52. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

35. Vaismoradi, M., Turunen, H., & Bondas, T. (2016). Content analysis and thematic analysis: Implications for conducting a qualitative descriptive study. Nursing & health sciences, 15(3), 398-405. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

36. Voth, D. (2021). The race question in Canada and the politics of racial mixing. In C. Andersen & J. M. O’Toole (Eds.), A people and a nation: New directions in contemporary Métis studies (pp. 94–120). UBC Press. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

37. Zhou, Y. (2017). Intercultural marriage, legal status and social belonging in China Chinese-African couples and families in Guangzhou. [Unpublished Dissertation, Universität zu Köln]. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

• The Dynamic of Religious Pluralism and Cultural Identity in Rongmei Naga (Kabui) Society
• Effects of Social-Economic Empowerment of Teenage Mothers and Nurture Care. A Case of Kimbilio Hope Centre, Machakos, Kenya
• Gendering Caste and Casteing Gender: A Study of Social Sickness in Uma Chakravarti’s Gendering Caste: Through a Feminist Lens
• Counselling as Social Work for Women Empowerment in Akwa Ibom State: A Case Study of Ibiono Ibom Local Government Area. Implications for Counsellors
• Motherhood: Inclusion and Containment, A Case Study