No need for pedestals: Idealization does not predict better relationships among Asians

Abstract

The authors tested whether partner idealization was positively associated with relationship quality among 105 intraracially dating Asian American couples (Study 1) and 98 Chinese couples (Study 2) through two methods. The commonly used residual‐based approach found, in both samples, the positive associations between idealizing a partner and relationship quality previously documented among European/European Americans. In contrast, the piece‐wise regression analysis, which distinguished between idealization and derogation, found few positive associations between idealizing a partner and relationship quality. Similarly, being the object of idealization rarely predicted greater relationship quality for either sample, even when perceived idealization was tested. Derogation, however, predicted relationship outcomes. Therefore, future studies should focus on negative behaviors or attitudes (or the lack thereof) in understanding relationship outcomes.

Reciprocal Effects of Marital Idealization and Marital Satisfaction Between Long-Wed Spouses Over Time

“…We recruited 125 wives and their husbands 50+ years of age, married 20+ years for the Marriage and Health Study (King et al, 2018). We purposefully recruited long-wed couples, as idealization within dating (Wu et al, 2020) and newlywed couples (Murray et al, 2011) may be wishful thinking, not self-deception in accord with theory (O’Rourke & Cappeliez, 2003a).…”