Interracial and Interethnic Marriages: Given Recent History, Have Things Been Getting Better?

This article focuses on the experiences and perceptions of interracial and interethnic married couples in the United States, based on a 2022 survey of 413 partners. It examines whether respondents felt societal conditions for such couples had improved, remained the same, or worsened over the past five years, a period marked by significant racial events and tensions. Key factors associated with feeling that things were improving included support from extended family, living in diverse communities, intentionally seeking social groups with other interracial/interethnic couples, and having children. Conversely, feeling that conditions were unchanged or worsening was linked to being male, having a Black or African American spouse, frequently discussing recent racially traumatic events, and heightened conscious awareness of the interracial or interethnic nature of the marriage. The findings highlight the complex interplay of social support, community context, and racial dynamics affecting these couples and suggest implications for social work practice in addressing related stress and trauma.