“I Can't Afford for You to Flunk”

Abstract

While self-endorsing positive stereotypes such as high achievement and perseverance could be beneficial to Asian college students, pressures to fit all expectations of the Asian model minority myth could be psychologically damaging. The way we interact with our family and friends is influential in how we perceive ourselves and our ability to cope with life's stresses. The current chapter examines the way distinct types of endorsement of positive Asian stereotypes are related to the quality of family interaction, social support, and coping among 128 Asian college students. Results indicate that family satisfaction and parental perfectionism are positively related to the endorsement of Asian stereotypes at the group level, while family satisfaction, subjective social support, and highly person-centered messages are positively related to self-endorsed positive Asian stereotypes. Family satisfaction, social support, and highly person-centered messages predicted Asian students' ability to cope with their academic problems and stresses.