Discrimination is an increasingly prevalent issue around the world that affects people from various backgrounds and cultures. It can lead to social isolation, low self-esteem, poor mental health, and even suicide in extreme cases.
Its impact on relationships remains relatively unexplored. This article will examine how perceived discrimination influences relationship stability and emotional well-being.
Perceived discrimination refers to when individuals feel they are being treated unfairly due to their identity characteristics such as race, gender, age, religion, disability, or sexual orientation. Such perceptions often arise due to bias, stereotypes, and prejudice that exist within society. The effects of these experiences can be particularly harmful for romantic relationships because they create feelings of mistrust, anger, sadness, anxiety, and depression.
Research has shown that discriminatory attitudes towards certain groups can negatively affect their ability to form and maintain successful partnerships.
Studies have found that heterosexual couples who report experiencing racial discrimination are more likely to experience conflict and break up compared to those who do not face this type of adversity (Sorensen et al., 2016). In addition, LGBTQ+ individuals who encounter rejection, stigma, and homophobia tend to develop higher levels of psychological distress and lower satisfaction in their relationships (Garnets & Herek, 2007). Similarly, immigrant women who experience racism and xenophobia may struggle with intimacy and trust issues in their partnered relationships (Rosenberg et al., 2008).
The negative consequences of discrimination extend beyond interpersonal dynamics and impact an individual's broader mental health. A study conducted on college students found a direct link between perceived discrimination and poor emotional well-being, including symptoms of depression and anxiety (Nelson et al., 2014). These findings suggest that even when discrimination does not directly affect one's relationship status or stability, it still affects overall emotional functioning, which can further exacerbate relationship difficulties.
Perceptions of discrimination negatively influence relationship stability and emotional well-being by creating feelings of mistrust, anger, sadness, anxiety, and depression. Addressing these harmful attitudes through education, advocacy, and legislation is crucial for promoting healthy and satisfying romantic partnerships.
How does the perception of discrimination influence relationship stability and emotional well-being?
The experience of discrimination can have significant effects on the stability and emotional well-being of relationships. Individuals who perceive themselves as being treated unfairly due to their race, gender, age, disability, or other factors may feel isolated, angry, resentful, and powerless, which can lead to emotional distress and conflict within close relationships.