The purpose of this study was to investigate experiences of prejudice among individuals in African American and Caucasian interracial marriages. This study utilized Q methodology as a means of identifying and understanding the perceptions of experiences of prejudice held by 40 participants (20 couples). A set of 33 statements relating to experiences of prejudice was generated from a thorough literature review relating to African American and Caucasian interracial unions. Each participant was given a set of statements and asked to rank them on a continuum of -4, “most disagree,” to +4, “most agree” according to what they perceived were their experiences since being married. After the Q-sort process, participants responded to a post-sort interview. The specific research question that directed the study was: “What are the experiences of prejudice among individuals in African American and Caucasian interracial marriages?”
The results of the Q-sort were factor analyzed utilizing the PQ Method 2.11 (Schmolck & Atkinson, 2002) software program producing four distinct factors, or groups, relating to experiences of prejudice. The four different groups were identified in the following way: (a) family and public acceptance; (b) public rejection; (c) public acceptance; and (d) rejection and acceptance.
Each of the four factors revealed distinct experiences of prejudice according to participants’ subjective viewpoints. Understanding there were differences, and some similarities, of perceptions among the individuals in the study, and between spouses, offers considerations for future researchers to pursue these perceptions, and to use this information for the development and training of multicultural counselors.