An Interdependence Approach to Relationship Maintenance in Interracial Marriage

This study investigated the extent to which positive and negative maintenance communication predicted marital satisfaction and commitment in a sample of 90 individuals in an interracial marriage. An interdependence theory approach was used. Participants completed an online survey using SurveyMonkey's audience request. Results of a regression equation indicate that four maintenance activities predicted 52% of the variance in satisfaction, with two being negative predictors (infidelity and avoidance) and two being positive predictors (conflict management and social networks). Three maintenance behaviors predicted commitment, with infidelity and giving advice being negative predictors and the use of social networks being a positive predictor. Finally, consistent with interdependence theory, marital satisfaction fully mediated the relationship between maintenance activity and commitment.