ABSTRACT
The maintenance of stable and satisfied relationships is important for African American (AA) couples, but few studies examine their unique issues. This study offers a nuanced picture of AA relationships by exploring four race-specific factors: (1) components of the partners’ discussions about race; (2) perceived supportiveness of these discussions; (3) partners’ report of an AA couple identity; and (4) partners’ belief in the uniqueness of AA relationships. 137 AA adults in mixed gender relationships with an AA partner completed survey questionnaires, including individual- and relational-level race-related constructs. Results of descriptive statistics identified a pattern regarding the occurrence, frequency, and content of race-related conversations. Correlational and linear regression analyses elucidated relationships among frequency and supportiveness of race-related conversations and both cultural and couple outcomes. These results are discussed in context with the extant literature regarding AA couples, and both research and clinical strengths-based future directions and implications are provided.