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Perceptions of Hispanic and African-American Couples at the Friendship or Engagement Stage of a Relationship

University of Texas at San Antonio, sgarcia{at}lonestar.utsa.edu

Semilla M. Rivera

University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio

In an attempt to comprehend the perceptions held about racially similar and dissimilar couples, four issues were examined in this study. First, differences in perceptions based on the couple's racial composition were investigated. It was hypothesized that perceptions about the couple, its members, and its relationship quality would be more positive for same-race dyads than mixed-race couples. Second, we examined the impact of intimacy level on perceptions reported about these dyads. Pairs who were friends were predicted to receive more positive perceptions than the engaged couples. Third, we hypothesized that racially dissimilar couples who were engaged would be perceived more negatively than the racially similar friend and engaged dyads and the racially dissimilar friend pairs. Lastly, past studies have indicated perceiver sex and race differences in perceptions of interracial couples. Given the inconsistencies in the literature, we looked at the possible sex- and race-of-the-perceiver effects on perceptions of these dyads. Results supported the first and second hypotheses, and there was partial evidence for the last. Understanding the perceptions of same-race and mixed-race couples thus requires consideration of its racial composition, the relationship's level of intimacy, and the perceiver's sex.

Key Words: African-American couples • engagement • friend-ship • Hispanic couples

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