Volume: 6  Number: 3-4  Page: 262–274  doi:10.2167/laic253.0

Relational Communication in Intercultural Couples

Carine A. Cools Department of Communication, University of Jyväskylä, Finland

This qualitative study utilises the relational dialectics of Baxter and Montgomery (1996) to examine the relationship communication of six heterosexual intercultural couples living in Finland. In this study, I attempt to answer the following questions: what cultural issues are relevant in the couples' relationship? What intercultural relational dialectics do the intercultural couples experience in their relationship? The interviews are based on a concept map, and were recorded, transcribed, and analysed qualitatively. The findings are categorised under two headers: cultural issues and intercultural relational dialectics. The cultural issues consist of the following topics: language and communication, adapting spouse(s), friends, raising children, female–male roles, visibility, and traditions. The intercultural relational dialectics entails privilege–disadvantage, and belonging–exclusion.

Keywords: belonging, disadvantage, exclusion, intercultural, privilege, relational dialectics

© 2006 C.A. Cools

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