Date
6-17-2026
Department
School of Behavioral Sciences
Degree
Doctor of Education in Community Care and Counseling (EdD)
Chair
Fred Volk
Keywords
Black men, emotional vulnerability, romantic relationships, emotional intimacy, emotional connection, emotional expression, masculinity, Black masculinity, intersectionality, racism, racial stress, racial trauma, systemic racism, historical trauma, cultural context, emotional development, relational connection, intimate relationships, vulnerability, phenomenology, lived experiences, Black male identity, emotional regulation, relationship experiences, sociohistorical influences, racialized experiences, interpersonal relationships, psychological well-being
Disciplines
Counseling | Educational Psychology
Recommended Citation
Pate, Gregory D., "From The Role of Provider to Partner: Exploring the Lived Experiences of Black Men Navigating Emotional Vulnerability and Connection in Romantic Relationships" (2026). Doctoral Dissertations and Projects. 8571.
https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/doctoral/8571
Abstract
Black men’s emotional experiences within romantic relationships have historically received limited attention in the scholarly literature, with existing research often emphasizing their roles as providers, protectors, and economic contributors rather than exploring their experiences of emotional vulnerability and connection. Additionally, historical and contemporary experiences of racism, systemic oppression, and culturally prescribed gender roles have influenced how Black men understand, express, and navigate emotions within intimate relationships. The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to explore the lived experiences of third-generation Black American men as they navigated emotional vulnerability, intimacy, and connection within romantic relationships. Guided by a constructivist paradigm and informed by Family Systems Theory and Social Learning Theory, this study utilized a qualitative transcendental phenomenological design. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 10 third-generation Black American men, aged 25 to 50, residing in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States who were currently in or had recently been in committed romantic relationships. Data were analyzed using Moustakas’s phenomenological method, including horizontalization, clustering of meaning units, imaginative variation, and synthesis of essences. Four primary themes emerged from the analysis: (a) negative portrayals and a lack of emotionally healthy role models influenced participants’ understanding and expression of vulnerability; (b) emotional vulnerability was viewed as a developmental process that required intentional learning, self-awareness, and practice; (c) unresolved trauma and adverse life experiences frequently resurfaced within romantic relationships and influenced emotional connection; and (d) formal and informal support systems, including therapy, mentorship, peer relationships, and positive social influences, facilitated emotional growth and relational engagement. Participants described emotional vulnerability as a complex process shaped by historical, cultural, familial, and relational influences while simultaneously serving as a pathway toward deeper intimacy and connection. The findings contribute to the growing body of literature on Black masculinity, emotional wellness, and intimate relationships by highlighting the multidimensional nature of Black men’s emotional experiences. Implications include the need for culturally responsive counseling practices, interventions that support emotional development and relational health, and continued research examining the intersection of race, masculinity, vulnerability, and connection within Black communities.
