Romantic Relationship Development among Asian and Asian-American Emerging Adults: The Perceived Influence of Family Values and Expectations

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Venia Yeung
Venia Yeung

Venia Yeung is a senior at Wesleyan University majoring in Psychology with a double minor in Economics and East Asian Studies. She was born and raised in Hong Kong, though is excited to start her career in the United States. Venia is currently working her second semester in Professor Nicole Watkin’s Romantic Relationship lab; this research sparked her interest in romantic relationship development among Asian and Asian-American emerging adults. Outside of the lab, Venia is also a member on the Women’s Varsity Tennis Team at Wesleyan.

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Abstract: Families often play an important role in emerging adult romantic development, and their influence may differ for those who identify as Asian versus Asian-American. Participants were 25 undergraduate students who were asked how the values and expectations of their family has influenced their romantic relationship beliefs and behaviors. Results from thematic analyses revealed 9 themes, including (1) families had strong values (20%), (2) traditional/conservative families (24%), (3) non-traditional/open-minded families (12%), (4) families had strong expectations (culturally-based) (12%), (5) family values and expectations played a positive, influential role (36%), (6) families had strong (narrow-minded) influence (12%), (7) families’ interactions had a strong influence (20%), (8) families did not play an influential role (36%), (9) wishes (8%). Findings highlight the potential differences in the amount/type of influence a family has depending on ethnic identity. 

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