Cross‐Cultural Marital Satisfaction
Individualistic and Collectivist Influences
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 17190867 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Laleh Aflatooni (0009-0000-4396-0253, Marriage and Family Therapy Alliant International University Irvine California USA, corresponding author), Manijeh Daneshpour (0000-0003-4160-2350, Marriage and Family Therapy Alliant International University Irvine California USA) |
| Year | 2026 |
| Volume | 65 |
| Issue | 1 |
| Pages | e70115-e70115 |
| Publication date | 2026-01-29 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Family Process (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 0014-7370 • E-ISSN: 1545-5300 |
| Publisher | Wiley (PUBLISHER • GB) |
| DOI | 10.1111/famp.70115 |
| PMID | 41610881 |
| OpenAlex | W7126087496 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 3 |
| References cited | 50 |
As intercultural marriages become increasingly common in the United States, it is crucial to examine the factors that affect their stability and satisfaction. This study explores how demographic factors, cultural orientation, and social support influence marital satisfaction in Eastern men-Western women couples. A total of 89 individuals participated in this study, with 48.3% male (69.7% Middle Eastern and 30.3% Asian) and 51.7% female (United Statesian-European). Cultural collectivism, social support, and level of education were significant positive predictors of marital satisfaction. Collectivism, particularly horizontal collectivism which reflects egalitarian interdependence, emerged as a significant positive predictor of marital satisfaction. While social support was the strongest predictor of marital satisfaction, collectivism was not a significant predictor when social support was included, although its association remained positive. Additionally, there were no significant gender differences in marital satisfaction. Findings suggest that clinicians working with Eastern-Western couples should examine how partners balance collectivistic expectations, including family involvement and relational interdependence, with individualistic preferences for autonomy and independence. This balance appears to meaningfully shape marital satisfaction. Future research should examine a wider range of intercultural couples to determine whether similar patterns emerge across different racial, religious, and socioeconomic groups. Understanding these intersections can help policymakers and practitioners develop culturally responsive relationship education and support programs tailored to the needs of diverse intercultural families
Affect (linguistics) · Autonomy · Collectivism · Individualism · Individualistic culture · Marital status · Social support · Socioeconomic status · Attachment and Relationship Dynamics · Cultural Differences and Values · International Student and Expatriate Challenges
The Development of the 2-Way Social Support Scale
The impact of education level on marital satisfaction
Individualism, collectivism and conformity in nine countries
A study of psychological symptoms, family function, marital and life satisfactions of polygamous and monogamous women
Family Values and Traditions
Cultural Differences in Correlations With Marital Satisfaction
Cultural diversity within couples
Cultural collectivism, intimate partner violence, and women's mental health
Gender and the Culture of Heterosexual Marriage in the United States
Perceptions of women and men in mixed-race heterosexual relationships
Converging measurement of horizontal and vertical individualism and collectivism
Beyond “Difference
Social Support as a Moderator of Life Stress
In-Laws, Communication, and Other Frustrations
An Ecological Approach to Understanding and Facilitating Social Support
Interracial and intraracial romantic relationships
Through the cultural looking glass
Mixing and Matching
Reshaping marital power
Linking Economic Hardship to Marital Quality and Instability
Measuring Dyadic Adjustment
Marital Satisfaction With a Special Focus on Gender Differences in Medical Staff in Tehran, Iran
Marital Satisfaction Across Three Cultures
Cultural and Evolutionary Components of Marital Satisfaction
The Role of Culture in Interpersonal Relationships
Household Income and Trajectories of Marital Satisfaction in Early Marriage
Does Couples' Communication Predict Marital Satisfaction, or Does Marital Satisfaction Predict Communication
Race-ethnic differences in marital quality and divorce
| Unique citing works | 3 |
|---|---|
| Citations per year | 3 |
| Citation span | 2026 - 2026 (1) |
| Citation velocity | current |
| Highly cited | No |
| Citation types | Neutral: 2 |