9701637 Wethington This Doctoral Dissertation research examines the martial quality of interracial Asian-white couples. The large number of interracial couples in the U.S. and the limited knowledge of these families prompted this study. It is hypothesized that such interracial families may experience more stress and strain and may be at risk for higher marital instability and lower well-being than same-race families. The major goal of this research is to complement and improve upon existing studies of interracial families. Knowledge of the marital quality and consequences of such marriages may have important social implications. Given that marital quality is highly predictive of divorce, this study will enhance our understanding of it in non-majority populations. Research findings will permit a better accounting of positive benefits of public policies that affect the probability of divorce. Data will be gathered from 3,000 Asians and 500 whites from geographically diverse locations. This will generate a finale sample of approximately 452 couples (i.e.,140 Asian-white couples, 211 Asian couples, 99 whites couples and 2 other white-minority unions) Potential subjects will be contacted by mail and interested subjects will be asked to complete a self-administered mail survey which contains questions on marital quality, and perceived social integration and support. ****
