Intercultural couples’ internal stress, relationship satisfaction, and dyadic coping

Abstract

Intercultural couples - partners from two different countries - may face increased levels of stress within their relationship (internal stress). Although internal stress is negatively associated with relationship satisfaction, communication of such stress can help foster partners’ coping behaviors. Specifically, partners can engage in positive dyadic coping (DC) to help lower stress levels and improve relationship satisfaction. Despite the wealth of research on DC, examination of the associations of stress communication and DC in intercultural couples has been limited. To address this gap in the literature, this study used a sample of 73 self-identified heterosexual intercultural couples to examine their perceptions of internal stress, and associations between DC and relationship satisfaction. Cross-sectional survey data revealed negative main effects for both individuals’ own and their partner’s perceptions of internal stress on relationship satisfaction, and positive main effects for all forms of positive DC with relationship satisfaction. Stress communication by oneself moderated the association between partner’s perceived internal stress and one’s own relationship satisfaction, such that relationship satisfaction was higher when partners reported more engagement in stress communication at lower levels of internal stress. However, there were no significant main association between negative DC and relationship satisfaction, or significant moderations for any type of DC. Implications for relationship researchers and mental health professionals working with intercultural couples are discussed.

Associations between individual and couple-level minority stressors and relationship stress in queer women’s interracial/interethnic couple relationships

“…Communication is also key to reducing stress among interracial/interethnic couples. In a study of young intercultural couples (Holzapfel et al, 2018), open communication about culture was associated with higher relationship satisfaction. The ways couples express their stress is one of the top predictors of marital outcomes (Rogge, Bradbury, Hahlweg, Engl, & Thurmaier, 2006).…”

“…SGM participants may also feel less comfortable disclosing their identities in studies not focused on SGM wellbeing. We did not ask participants' countries of origin and thus intercultural couples (Holzapfel, Randall, Tao, & Iida, 2018) who may be members of the same racial/ethnic group but may experience significant cultural differences, may be categorized as monoracial couples.…”

The Effect of Internal Minor Stress on Marital Satisfaction in Indonesian Intercultural Couples

“…Furthermore, stressors that lasted over time (within 12 months) were found to give a larger impact on relationship satisfaction (Bodenmann, 2005). Notably, couples may experience stress long after the initial stressor occurred (Holzapfel et al, 2018). Therefore, these findings highlight the need for this study to examine the internal minor stress intercultural couples face over time and its associations on marital satisfaction.…”

“…According to Bodenmann, Ledermann, and Bradburry (2007), external stressors affect marital satisfaction through mediating processes, whereas internal stressors directly erode individuals' marital satisfaction. Several studies have proved the negative associations between internal stress, specifically minor internal stress, on relationship satisfaction (Bodenmann, 2005;Holzapfel et al, 2018). Furthermore, stressors that lasted over time (within 12 months) were found to give a larger impact on relationship satisfaction (Bodenmann, 2005).…”

“…Such differences, according to Holzapfel, Randall, Tao, and Iida (2018), could manifest as internal minor stress. Internal minor stress is caused by daily minor problems within the marriage (Randall & Bodenmann, 2017), such as having different attitudes concerning life and relationship, partner's insufficient behavior, also the unsatisfactory distribution of household duties.…”