Stereotypes and prejudice in the intercultural couple
Stereotypes, prejudice and discrimination exist at all levels, and while the literature has examined systemic discrimination or microaggressions generally, societal discrimination trickles into our most intimate spaces. Online forums and blog entries have recently been citing racism from relationship partners (e.g., “pro-Trump boyfriend”), but this subject is invisible in the research.
We are currently spearheading a program of research that addresses the insidious experience of stereotypes, prejudice and discrimination from intimate partners in the context of intercultural couples.
This innovative program will shed light on this toxic, often taboo, phenomenon, and lay the foundations for work to sensitize and empower researchers, professionals and the general population against stereotypes, prejudice and discrimination from one’s partner and close others.
This program of research is supported by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC) and is being conducted in collaboration with Dr. Richard Lalonde, Professor at York University, Dr. Yvan Leanza, Professor at Université Laval, Dr. Biru Zhou, Academic Associate in the Centre for Research on Children and Families at McGill University in Montreal, and Dr. John Lydon, Professor at McGill University.
From the partner:
Study 1: exploratory online questionnaire, open-ended questions - Alessandra Rossini MA thesis
Study 2: focus groups
Study 3: Scale creation and validation (upcoming)
Study 4: Dyadic couple study, quantitative (upcoming)
From friends and family towards the couple:
Study 1: exploratory online questionnaire, open-ended questions
Study 2: focus groups – Iman Sta-Ali PhD dissertation
Study 3: Scale creation and validation (upcoming)
Study 4: Dyadic couple study, quantitative (upcoming)