The effects of differentiation and attachment on satisfaction and acculturation in Asian-Caucasian American international couple relationships: Assessment with Chinese, South Korean, and Japanese partners in relationships with Caucasian American partners in the United States
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to conduct a quantitative analysis examining the effects of differentiation and attachment on acculturation and relational satisfaction in Asian-Caucasian American international couple relationships. The study hypothesized that differentiation, attachment, and acculturation are factors that influence relational satisfaction in Asian partners within the international couple relationships with Caucasian American partners. It is also hypothesized that differentiation and attachment increase the level of acculturation in the Asian partners. The hypotheses were examined with 42 native-born Chinese, South Korean, and Japanese partners within the international couple relationship with a Caucasian American partner in the United States. Multiple regressions were used to test the hypotheses. Results supported that differentiation and acculturation were significantly related to relationship satisfaction. Differentiation was also significantly associated with acculturation. Overall, the study supported that differentiation and acculturation are important factors influencing the relationship satisfaction in Asian-Caucasian American couples in the United States. The study also showed that differentiation had a significant effect on acculturation in the Asian partners. More importantly, a mediator model was established based on the results. The mediator model supported the idea that acculturation influenced the effect of differentiation on the relationship satisfaction.
Degree
M.S.
Advisors
Edwards, Purdue University.
Subject Area
Mental health|International Relations|Developmental psychology
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