Jacqueline Lechuga, Texas A&M University–San Antonio, Kyle M. Nabb, The University of Texas at El Paso, Jessica Bray, University of Kentucky, Michael Zárate, The University of Texas at El Paso, United States
published in the Proceedings of the 3rd International Conference on Love and Relationship Studies, 6-8 March, 2026
You can see the full video recording of this presentation at the YouTube channel of the International Institute of Love Studies
Introduction
Toxic romantic partners are commonly characterized by unhealthy or abusive behaviors. Among Latino communities, tóxico/tóxica (i.e., Spanish translation of toxic) has taken on an ambivalent meaning in romantic relationships. Although the label implies problematic relational dynamics, it is often used humorously and affectionately by Latinos, paradoxically signaling intimacy and commitment. While this phenomenon has not been systematically studied, its cultural salience is evident in Latino popular culture, including relationship-related memes, music, merchandise, and online trends (Guevara, 2022). Given cross-cultural variation in the meaning and function of terms of endearment (Khalil & Larina, 2022), tóxico/tóxica as a term of endearment may be seen more positively by Latino communities relative to non-Latino communities.
In this study, we investigated ethnic differences in exposure, use, perceptions, and feelings associated with tóxico/tóxica as a term of endearment for romantic partners. We predicted that Latinos (vs non-Latinos), would report greater exposure, greater use, and more favorable perceptions and feelings associated with tóxico/tóxica as an endearment. We also explored whether exposure and use of tóxico/tóxica as an endearment was associated with a history of abusive relationships, and the behaviors and motivations attributed to this label.
Methods
Latino (n = 127) and non-Latino (n = 134) participants completed close- and open-ended questions about their familiarity and experience with tóxico/tóxica as a term of endearment. All participants received information about the negative connotation of the term toxic and its emerging use as an endearment prior to completing any of our items. The study included the following steps:
First, participants answered an item to assess their exposure to this term as an endearment (Have you heard of this term used like this?).
Second, participants answered items related to the use of tóxico/tóxica as an endearment at different levels: individual (Have you used tóxico/tóxica as a term of endearment?), social network (Have people close to you used tóxico/tóxica as a term of endearment?), and extended community (Have others from your ethnic/racial group used tóxico/tóxica as a term of endearment?).
Third, participants answered items related to their perceptions (e.g., negative, positive) of tóxico/tóxica as an endearment (How [perception] do you think tóxico/tóxica is as a term of endearment?).
Fourth, participants answered items about the positive (e.g., caring, funny) and negative feelings (e.g., anxious, ashamed) they experience when using this label to refer to themselves.
Then, participants answered open-ended questions related to the type of behaviors they believe someone who labels themselves or is labeled by others as tóxico/tóxica engage in, along with the motivations underlying such behaviors. Lastly, participants reported their history of abuse (Have you ever experienced any form of abuse in a past romantic relationship?).
Highlights of Results
As predicted, Latinos (77.95%) reported greater exposure of tóxico/tóxica as an endearment in comparison to their non-Latino (33.58%) counterparts (p < .001). In all other analyses, we used only participants, Latinos and non-Latinos, who indicated yes to prior exposure (n = 144) to tóxico/tóxica as an endearment.
Also as predicted, Latinos (vs. non-Latinos) were more likely to report having a romantic partner who has used tóxico/tóxica to refer to them (p = .037), and more likely to report that others of their same ethnic/racial group use tóxico/tóxica to refer to their romantic partners (p < .001).
Further, as predicted, Latinos (vs. non-Latinos) reported more favorable perceptions and feelings of tóxico/tóxica as an endearment.
Additionally, exploratory tests identified a positive relationship between use of tóxico/tóxica as an endearment and having a history of abusive relationships. Specifically, calling a romantic partner tóxico/tóxica (p = .006), being called tóxico/tóxica by a partner (p = .005), and having close others who call their romantic partners tóxico/tóxica (p = .001) were positively associated with having a history of abuse. Latino women primarily accounted for the differences noted between Latinos and non-Latinos on exposure, use, perceptions, and feelings associated with tóxico/tóxica as an endearment.
Lastly, qualitative analyses indicated that participants are aware of the negative connotation (e.g., unhealthy relationship dynamics) that the tóxico/tóxica label carries.
Discussion and Conclusion
This study is the first to provide empirical evidence that the use of tóxico/tóxica as a term of endearment is a culture-specific dynamic within Latino romantic relationships. While often used humorously, the normalization of this term as an endearment may inadvertently romanticize unhealthy or abusive behaviors. This, in turn, contributes to misunderstandings about the characteristics of a healthy, loving relationship. Given that intimate partner violence disproportionately affects underserved populations (e.g., women, Latinos), these findings underscore the importance of understanding how cultural norms shape vulnerability to adverse life experiences.
References
Guevara, G. (2022, September 16). “La Tóxica” stereotype: What it is and its consequences. Her Campus. https://www.hercampus.com/school/cu-boulder/la-toxica-stereotype-what-it-is-and-its-consequences/
Khalil, A.A.A. & Larina, T.V. (2022). Terms of endearment in American English and Syrian Arabic family discourse. RUDN Journal of Language Studies, Semiotics and Semantics, 13(1), 27–44. https://doi.org/10.22363/2313-2299-2022-13-1-27-44