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Asian hate during the COVID‐19 pandemic: The role of racial discrimination in Asian Americans' intimate relationships

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Family Relations / Family Relations Interdisciplinary Journal of Applied Family Studies

Published online on

Abstract

["Family Relations, Volume 75, Issue 2, Page 1118-1136, April 2026. ", "\nAbstract\n\nObjective\nThis study examined how racial discrimination was related to Asian Americans' coping and adaptive mechanisms in intimate relationships, specifically negative conflict and perceived partner support, and how these dynamics were linked to relationship quality and risk of dissolution. It also explored whether being in an interracial relationship or having a Caucasian partner moderated these associations.\n\n\nBackground\nAsian Americans faced heightened racial discrimination during the COVID‐19 pandemic, yet its impact on relationship functioning remains understudied.\n\n\nMethods\nThe final sample consists of 325 Asian Americans from the National Couples' Health and Time Study, 59.6% identified as men, 78.5% as heterosexual, 64.9% were in interracial relationships, and 59.7% had a Caucasian partner.\n\n\nResults\nResults from a path model demonstrated that racial discrimination was associated with greater negative conflict and lower perceived partner support, which in turn were linked to lower relationship quality and higher risk of dissolution. Multigroup comparisons indicated neither interracial relationship status nor having a Caucasian partner significantly moderated these associations.\n\n\nConclusion\nRacial discrimination was indirectly associated with lower relationship quality and greater relationship risk through conflict and reduced support.\n\n\nImplications\nOur findings underscore the need for culturally sensitive interventions that address racial discrimination, reduce negative conflict, and foster partner support among Asian Americans during stressful times.\n\n"]