Gori Girl

Photo Credit: TheAlieness GiselaGiardino²³

As most of you probably know, there is very little quantitative data out there on interracial marriages, especially anything beyond a basic count of how many there are. I recently stumbled across a study currently being conducted regarding satisfaction within interracial relationships, and I’d like to take a moment to encourage everyone here to consider taking about 20 minutes out of your day to help out a doctoral student completing the study, if you meet the requirements listed below. I’ve already completed it, and it’s pretty straight-forward.

What is the purpose of this study?

The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between interactional styles, religious beliefs, and social support on interracial marriage satisfaction. This study is an effort to better understand the experience of social support in interracial marriages and the impact it has on the satisfaction of the married partners.

Who can participate?

At this time, the study is limited to legally married, heterosexual, interracial couples. The interracial pairings that this study is specifically looking at are Black/White (the longest history of interracial couples in the US) and Asian/White (the fastest growing group of interracial marriages).
Volunteers must meet the following requirements to participate:

• Must currently be in a heterosexual, interracial marriage. This study is solely recruiting Black/White and Asian/White couples.
• You must have been married for at least one year.
• Both partners must be 18 years of age or older.
• Both partners must speak proficient English.
• Both partners must be US residents.

Please keep in mind that individuals of “Mixed Race” backgrounds are welcome to participate! Individuals  are welcome to participate as long as he/she can:

1. Self-identify, in part or in whole, with one of the racial groups being studied
2. Has heritage in that racial group they self-identify with and
3. Meets the other criteria listed in the study above

What will be asked of me as a participant?

In order to carry out this study, volunteers will be asked to fill out a series of questionnaires that will take approximately 10-20 minutes to complete. These questionnaires ask questions about interaction, religion, social support, and relationship satisfaction. Both the husband and the wife must fill out the questionnaires and are asked to do so separately. Participants are asked to refrain from discussing the questionnaire until both partners have completed the study. Survey responses will be kept confidential and participants may choose to refrain from providing any identifying information.

How do I volunteer? Who do I contact?

To volunteer, please send an email to: interracialmarriagestudy@gmail.com
You will receive a response asking some preliminary questions to ensure you and your spouse meet the requirements for participating in the study. If so, you will be given an ID code for you and your spouse, and the option to complete either an online questionnaire or have the questionnaire mailed to you. Questionnaire information and details of participating in the study will be provided to those that volunteer

What do I gain from volunteering?

While there are no individual benefits from participating in this study, your involvment will assist in deepening scientific understanding of factors that affect satisfaction in interracial marriages. Additionally, upon completion of the questionnaires, you may choose to enter into a drawing for one of two $50 gift certificates to either Target or Crate and Barrel. This drawing will be open to all participants in this study and is voluntary

If you have other questions, you can also ask them at the facebook page created for the study (or go there to share the study with your other interracial couple friends).