Author ORCID Identifier
Date Available
5-15-2025
Year of Publication
2025
Document Type
Doctoral Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
College
Agriculture, Food and Environment
Department/School/Program
Family Sciences
Faculty
Nathan D. Wood
Faculty
Alexander T. Vazsonyi
Abstract
Historically, Black couples have not been studied within the context of their lived experiences as it relates to the effects of racism on relationship health. Only in the last decade have relationship scholars begun to consistently link racism-related stressors to relationship processes and outcomes. Despite the growing literature, recent studies are primarily quantitative in method and rely on samples, theoretical models, and measures that predominantly represent White couples’ experiences. It remains unclear how Black couples’ perceptions of love and relationship coping lead to resilient outcomes despite the negative effects of racism.
Therefore, the goal of the present study is to explore how Black couples perceive Black Love and relationship coping in the context of their lived experiences with racism. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with seven heterosexual couples (14 individuals) wherein both partners identified as Black or African American and at least one partner reported experiencing racism within the past six weeks. Interpretative phenomenological analysis was used to analyze and code themes that emerged from interviews with couples.
Results of the analysis revealed the central theme, A Safe Place. The frequently used phrase during interviews, “safe place,” referred to how Black couples made sense of their partner, the relationship, and their home, adopting adaptive ways of thinking and coping that were integral to loving through experiences with racism. Four major themes were identified: (1) Experiences and Impact of Racism, (2) Coping with Racism, (3) Black Love and Identity, and (4) Healing Advice. Twelve additional subthemes also emerged across the four major themes. Future directions for continued research and clinical implications are provided for family science professionals.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
https://doi.org/10.13023/etd.2025.171
Funding Information
Doctoral Dissertation Grant by Mental Research Institute
University of Kentucky Center for Clinical and Translational Science D.R.E.A.M. Scholars Fellowship Program
Recommended Citation
Murdock, Melinda, "“A Safe Place”: Exploring Black Couples’ Perceptions of Black Love and Relationship Coping in the Context of Their Lived Experiences with Racism" (2025). Theses and Dissertations--Family Sciences. 121.
https://uknowledge.uky.edu/hes_etds/121
Included in
African American Studies Commons, Multicultural Psychology Commons, Race and Ethnicity Commons, Social Justice Commons, Social Psychology and Interaction Commons, Theory, Knowledge and Science Commons
