Strengthening Connections in Interracial Marriages Through Pre-Marital Inventories: A Critical Literature Review

Abstract

The importance of preparing for marriage is apparent when one considers the consequences of marital distress and the high rate of divorce. Pre-marital inventories help couples' prepare for marriage by identifying their personal risks and resilience profiles as well as other factors that may influence their marriage. Research demonstrates the benefits of pre-marital inventories; however, there is little research on their effectiveness for interracial couples. In this review challenges facing interracial couples are identified, the benefits of using eco-systems theory in the creation of pre-marital inventories are discussed, and suggestions on how pre-marital inventories can become more applicable to interracial couples are offered.

Effects of Integrated Play Therapy on Relationship Satisfaction and Intimacy Within Couples Counseling

“…Researchers pointed out that interracial, intercultural couples tended to be in less stable and satisfying relationships, faced higher levels of stress and conflict, and had higher risk of divorce (Bratter, & King, 2008; Bustamante, Nelson, Henriksen, & Monakes, 2011; Zhang, & Hook, 2009). They also may encounter unique stressors, for instant, difference in cultural values and worldviews, couple identity, family origin, religious beliefs, and ethnicity (Bustamante et al, 2011; Kellner, 2009; Wong, 2009). Presently, it is more likely for therapist to encounter couple clients with different racial and cultural backgrounds in counseling sessions.…”

Black and White Biracial Marriage in the United States

“…With the increasing rate of biracial couples, therapists need to be equipped with tools to help biracial couples process and navigate these difficulties. Wong (2009) suggested a few ways that therapists can help these couples. Therapists can help biracial couples to cope with the additional stressors by teaching them skills or techniques (such as social skills that will help to increase affection and dialogue in the relationship) that will help to increase their marital quality and success.…”

“…Since the 1967 Supreme Court ruling, biracial couples have been steadily increasing in the United States (Fu & Wolfinger, 2011; Kenney, 2012; Passel, Wang, & Taylor, 2010; Wong, 2009). A bicultural couple has been defined as a relationship between two individuals from different racial groups (Kenney, 2012; Wong, 2009). In 1970, it was estimated that 900,000 biracial couples (included married and nonmarried) lived in the United States (Fu & Wolfinger, 2011).…”

“…bicultural couple has been defined as a relationship between two individuals from different racial groups (Kenney, 2012;Wong, 2009). In 1970, it was estimated that 900,000 biracial couples (included married and nonmarried) lived in the United States (Fu & Wolfinger, 2011).…”

Indovina chi viene a cena? Questioni psico-socio-giuridiche nel ciclo di vita della coppia mista

“…Alcuni autori si sono interrogati sugli elementi di stabilità o di fragilità presenti in queste unioni (Bratter e King, 2008;Wong, 2009), le cui motivazioni sono rintracciabili non solo nelle possibili tensioni interne ma anche in quelle esterne alla coppia. Le prime sono attribuibili alle differenze culturali e religiose dei due partner, ai differenti copioni sessuali, ma anche al divario del livello di istruzione e di età; quest'ultima, in particolare, riscontrabile nella tipologia marito italiano (38 anni in media) e moglie straniera (31 anni di media) (Istat, 2012).…”