Perceived discrimination, family and spousal relationships, and psychological distress among Asian Americans: Testing mediation and moderation effects

This study tested the main, mediating, and moderating effects of family cohesion and conflict and of spousal/partner social support and strain on the relationship of perceived discrimination to psychological distress. The data were derived from 1,462 married/cohabiting Asian American respondents to the National Latino Asian American Study. Perceived discrimination, family conflict, and spousal/partner strain was positively associated with increased psychological distress, whereas family cohesion and spousal/partner support were not statistically significant. About 40% of the association between perceived discrimination and psychological distress was mediated by family conflict and spousal/partner strain. Moreover, the detrimental effect of discrimination on psychological distress was stronger for respondents with greater degree of family conflict. Moderating (buffering) effects of family cohesion and spousal/partner support were not found. These findings indicate that considering perceived discrimination as a potential risk to family relationship and the critical role of family conflict is important to understanding the effects of discrimination on psychological distress among Asian Americans.