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RESEARCH PRODUCT

Relational Communication in Intercultural Couples

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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.