“More Alike than Different”: a qualitative exploration of the relational experiences of multicultural couples in Turkey

Abstract

In this study, multicultural couples’ experience of the impact of culture on their romantic relationships was explored. The sample included eight heterosexual couples cohabiting or married for at least 6 months, and who differed in ethnicity, religion, and native language. Women were from Turkey and men were from Germany, Greece, United Kingdom, France, Italy, Spain, and Chile, with ages ranging from 22 to 43. The semi-structured in-depth interviews generated data about the cultural differences participants observed about their partners and how those differences affect the romantic relationship. The thematic analysis revealed three major themes: “More Alike Than Different”; “The Difference Is In The Cultures, Not In The Relationship”, and “There Is More Room For Growth”. Although the couples had cultural differences regarding social and familial structures, they emphasized the similarities which kept them together, and engaged in understanding and empathic communication which helped them overcome the cultural differences. The study also provided information that might help practitioners working with multicultural couples. The findings are discussed in the context of the literature on similarity and compatibility, and limitations and suggestions for further studies are presented.

Lay summary

This study explored the role of culture on the relationship dynamics of eight heterosexual couples, women from Turkey, and their male partners from different countries. Interviews showed that the partners in these relationships expressed feeling more similar with each other than different, and that they engaged in empathic communication which enhanced marital satisfaction. Results have implications for practitioners working with multicultural couples.

Keywords:

• Multicultural couples
• intercultural couples
• intercultural marriages
• culture
• marriage
• similarity
• compatibility