Cultural identification as a moderator to self-expansion and self-efficacy in interracial romantic relationships

• Main Authors: Bausas, Katrina Cassandra A., Chan, Francine Eugenie A., Cruz, Marielle G., Villegas, Miguel Leonardo T.
• Format: text
• Language: English
• Published: Animo Repository 2017
• Subjects: Interracial dating; Self-efficacy; Man-woman relationships; Group identity
• Online Access: https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/etd_bachelors/8019
• Institution: De La Salle University

The objective of the study was to further explore self-expansion as a psychological construct, its correlation with self-efficacy in the context of romantic relationships, and how that very correlation is affected by an individual's cultural identification. The respondents (n=200), most of whom were young Filipino females, were either formerly or currently part of an interracial relationship. Data were obtained by letting the respondents answer a questionnaire composed of three parts: the first part measured cultural identification using the psychological acculturation scale by Tropp et al. (1999) the second part measured self-expansion using the self expansion questionnaire by Lewandowski (2003 as cited in Kashiwabara, 2006), and the third measured relationship self-efficacy using the relationship self-efficacy scale by Lopez, Morua & Rice (2007). Statistical results confirm the relationship of self-expansion and relationship self-efficacy, and it further reveals how cultural identification moderates the relationship. Moreover, the study highlights the positive impacts of self-expansion beyond the self, as well as the growing importance of culture in relationships. Finally, the study can also help pave way to a less discriminating and more accepting society by advocating for openness to experience.