Table Of ContentWestern Michigan University
ScholarWorks at WMU
Dissertations Graduate College
5-2015
Understandinq Second Generation Southeast
Asian Americans' Lived Experience of lnterracial
Romantic Partnerships with White European
Americans
Sophia K. Rath
Western Michigan University,
UNDERSTANDING SECOND GENERATION SOUTHEAST ASIAN AMERICANS’
LIVED EXPERIENCE OF INTERRACIAL PARTNERSHIPS WITH
WHITE EUROPEAN AMERICANS
by
Sophia K. Rath
A dissertation submitted to the Graduate College
in partial fulfillment of the requirements
for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy
Counselor Education and Counseling Psychology
Western Michigan University
May 2015
Doctoral Committee:
James M. Croteau, Ph.D., Chair
Mary Z. Anderson, Ph.D.
Donna Talbot, Ph.D.
UNDERSTANDING SECOND GENERATION SOUTHEAST ASIAN AMERICANS’
LIVED EXPERIENCE OF INTERRACIAL ROMANTIC PARTNERSHIPS WITH
WHITE EUROPEAN AMERICANS
Sophia K. Rath, Ph.D.
Western Michigan University, 2015
Scholars and mental health professionals whose work involves interracial
romantic partnerships (IRPs) have a responsibility to be sensitive to the racial, ethnic, and
psychological diversity that characterizes these relationships. Although a growing body
of research exists about IRPs, no study to date has explored how being a second
generation U.S.-born Southeast Asia American (SEAA) impacts individuals’ experiences
in IRPs with White European Americans (WEAs). The present study employed
qualitative, phenomenological methods to explore how second generation SEAAs make
meaning of their personal and relational experiences in IRPs with WEAs. Semi-structured
in-depth interviews were conducted with 11 participants.
Data were analyzed using MAXQDA. Seven themes emerged: Reactions about
racial and/or cultural identity, Cultural negotiation and management in the IRP, Having
a refugee family background directly impacts the IRP, Understanding of partners’
experience of the IRP, Experiences of microaggressive and prejudiced responses toward
the IRP, Experiences of how social intimates perceive the IRP, Participants’ messages to
second generation SEAAs and to the general public regarding culture and IRPs. These
findings highlight the dynamic interplay of influence that occurs between contextual
factors (such as reflection on family refugee history, location in racial and ethnic identity
development, and experiences of perceived racism) and IRPs. This interplay is illustrated
in the presentation of a composite case narrative, which is followed by discussion of the
ways in which the study’s findings support, deviate from, and extend existing scholarship
on Asian American identidy development, IRP development, lived experience of IRP,
microaggression and prejudice, and bicultural identity. Implications for practice, a
critique of the study, directions for future research, and participant reflections are also
addressed.
© 2015 Sophia K. Rath
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Imagine a canvas that sings with broad strokes of vibrant color.
While it blooms with love and light and accents of joy and inspiration,
it is also etched with subtle images of memory and humility.
Imagine a song that is painted with rich crescendos singing loudly and proudly of life
and truth that resonates through your very core.
Amid the jubilant chorus are soft, ivoried strokes so raw and fragile
that you must listen so very carefully lest you miss them altogether.
Imagine taste that makes tastebuds thrum, touch that sets heart afire,
and scent that reunites you with places you thought long forgotten.
These are my thanks for my tribe that is composed of all, past and present,
who have and continue to touch me with unreserved love, laughter, and light.
You each move me so very deeply, each and every day.
In each of you I am truly blessed.
Sophia K. Rath
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS................................................................................................ ii
LIST OF TABLES. . xi
CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION .........................................................................................1
Overview of the Literature...........................................................................5
Understanding interracial romantic partnerships. ............................5
Committed partnership.....................................................................6
Southeast Asian refugees and families. ...........................................7
The second generation experience: Being bicultural. ....................10
Ethnic identity................................................................................11
Self-construal: The interdependent self and
the independent self. ......................................................................12
Experiences of perceived racism. ..................................................12
Summary ....................................................................................................14
CHAPTER 2 REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE ............................................................15
Understanding IRPs ...................................................................................17
Historical context ...........................................................................17
Societal challenges to IRP .............................................................20
Familial challenges to IRP.............................................................21
Challenges within IRPs..................................................................23
Myths about IRP ............................................................................25
iii
Table of Contents - Continued
CHAPTER
Findings about why interracial partners connect ...........................27
IRP development............................................................................30
Section summary............................................................................31
Southeast Asian Refugees and Families ....................................................32
Nomenclature and Asian populations ............................................33
Diversity within diversity ..............................................................33
The refugee experience ..................................................................35
Trauma of Southeast Asian refugees .............................................39
Acculturation of Southeast Asian refugees....................................41
Southeast Asian refugee families...................................................44
Section summary............................................................................47
The Second Generation Experience: Being Bicultural ..............................47
Defining bicultural .........................................................................48
Bicultural identity conflict .............................................................51
Normative conflict among the second generation .........................51
Intergenerational conflict and dating .............................................54
Section summary............................................................................56
Ethnic Identity............................................................................................57
Defining ethnic identity .................................................................58
Stages of ethnic identity development ...........................................59
iv
Table of Contents - Continued
CHAPTER
Ethnic identity and the notion of “selling out.” .............................61
Asian American ethnic identity .....................................................62
The relationship between ethnic identity development
and IRP...........................................................................................64
Section summary............................................................................66
Self-Construal: The Interdependent Self and the Independent Self...........66
Defining self-construal...................................................................67
Meaning for bicultural Asian Americans.......................................67
Self-construal and interpersonal approach.....................................70
Section summary............................................................................71
Experiences of Perceived Racism..............................................................72
Descriptions of perceived racism...................................................73
Experiences of perceived intrarelationship racism ........................74
Section summary............................................................................76
CHAPTER 3 METHODOLOGY .....................................................................................77
Research Questions....................................................................................77
Research Design.........................................................................................78
Sampling Procedures .................................................................................80
A note about sample size ...............................................................83
Participants.................................................................................................84
Participant Confidentiality .........................................................................88
v
Table of Contents - Continued
CHAPTER
Reflexivity..................................................................................................89
About me, the researcher ...............................................................90
Guiding hypotheses........................................................................93
Data Collection ..........................................................................................94
Development of the interview questions........................................96
Data Analysis .............................................................................................97
Phase 1 ...........................................................................................97
Phase 2 ...........................................................................................98
Phase 3 ...........................................................................................99
Phase 4 .........................................................................................100
A note on data saturation .............................................................101
Phase 5 - Member checking.........................................................101
Review of the Study’s Rigor....................................................................104
CHAPTER 4 RESULTS.................................................................................................106
Context for the Results.............................................................................106
Major Themes ..........................................................................................117
Theme 1: Reactions about racial and/or cultural identity ............117
Theme 1a: Positive feelings about identifying with/
valuing aspects of heritage culture.................118
Theme 1b: Negative feelings about identifying with
and struggling with expectations of
heritage culture...............................................120
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