4 - (SYM 83) Love in Critical Condition: Exploring the Role of Criticism in Racially Diverse Couples

Introduction: Romantic dyad communication is a dominant driver of relationship satisfaction. Extant research supports that adaptive styles of communication (e.g.,, reciprocity, warmth, support) are associated with higher satisfaction, whereas maladaptive styles (e.g., demand-withdrawal, blame, opposition) are related to lower satisfaction. Observational approaches have uncovered moderators to this association, such that some racial identities are less impacted by maladaptive communication. The existing literature is limited due to its lack of replicability in self-report data and use of relationally distressed samples. The present study seeks to extend the current literature by examining the impact of self-reported perceived criticism on relationship satisfaction among racially diverse non-distressed couples. 

Method: Forty-seven mixed-gender couples (N=94 individuals) were primarily in their late twenties (M=29.82, SD= 4.31), together for an average of 3.5 years (SD= 3.96), and were in the non-distressed range of relationship satisfaction (Couples Satisfaction Index-4; (M=17.20, SD= 3.26). One-third of the sample identified as Black/African American, the remaining identified as White. 

Results: Linear regression analyses demonstrated that among Black/African American couples, higher criticism delivery levels was related to higher relationship satisfaction for both men (B= 1.989, SE= .621, p= .003) and women (B= 1.505, SE= .610, p=.018). Neither criticism delivery nor receipt was linked to relationship satisfaction among White couples. Other examined moderators (e.g., age, relationship length) were non-significant.

Discussion: Criticism delivery may be beneficial for Black/African American couples, and appears unrelated to satisfaction for White couples. These findings have several important clinical and research implications:  Criticism may reflect emotional safety or other relational strengths, and its restriction may be culturally incongruent and/or detrimental in racially diverse couples. Further, this replication supports future use of self-report measures, which minimize threats of observer bias that may be more pervasive when observing racially diverse couples.