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Communication and Relationships of Intercultural/Multilingual Couples: Cultural and Language Differences" (2013)

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Communication and Relationships of Intercultural/Multilingual Couples: Cultural and Language Differences University of Northern Colorado Scholarship & Creative Works @ Digital UNC Dissertations Student Research 8-1-2013 Communication and relationships of intercultural/ multilingual couples: cultural and language differences Nai Chieh Tien Follow this and additional works at: http://digscholarship.unco.edu/dissertations Recommended Citation Tien, Nai Chieh, "Communication and relationships of intercultural/multilingual couples: cultural and language differences" (2013). Dissertations. Paper 263. This Text is brought to you for free and open access by the Student Research at Scholarship & Creative Works @ Digital UNC. It has been accepted for inclusion in Dissertations by an authorized administrator of Scholarship & Creative Works @ Digital UNC. For more information, please contact [email protected]. © 2013 NAI CHIEH TIEN ALL RIGHTS RESERVED UNIVERSITY OF NORTHERN COLORADO Greeley, CO The Graduate School COMMUNICATION AND RELATIONSHIPS OF INTERCULTURAL/ MULTILINGUAL COUPLES: CULTURAL AND LANGUAGE DIFFERENCES A Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements of the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy NAI CHIEH TIEN College of Education and Behavioral Sciences School of Applied Psychology and Counselor Education Counseling Psychology August 2013 This Dissertation by: Nai Chieh Tine Entitled: Communication and Relationships of Intercultural/Multilingual Couples: Cultural and Language Differences has been approved as meeting the requirement for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in College of Education and Behavioral Sciences in School of Applied Psychology and Counselor Education, Program of Counselor Psychology Accepted by the Doctoral Committee ____________________________________________________ Basilia Softas-Nall, Ph.D., Research Advisor ____________________________________________________ Stephen Wright, Ph.D., Committee Member ____________________________________________________ Betty Cardona, Ph.D., Committee Member ____________________________________________________ Lory Clukey, Ph.D., Psy.D., RN, Faculty Representative Date of Dissertation Defense . Accepted by the Graduate School ____________________________________________________________ Linda L. Black, Ed.D., LPC Acting Dean of the Graduate School and International Admissions ABSTRACT Tien, Nai Chieh. Communication and Relationships of Intercultural/Multilingual Couples: Cultural and Language Differences. Published Doctor of Philosophy dissertation, University of Northern Colorado, 2013. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore and describe the cultural and language differences that intercultural/multilingual couples experience in their relationships and how these differences affect their relationships. Since the United States is more diverse than ever in terms of culture, race, and ethnicity, relationships between people of different races, ethnicities, and nationalities have become more and more common place. This study answered the questions: How do cultural and language differences impact intercultural/multilingual couples’ relationships and communication? Do they find their relationship unique compared to others? How can mental health professional provide effective treatment for them in the process of couple’s counseling? Using in-depth interviews, the study explored different themes and specific examples of couples’ stories and experiences to better understand how exactly the cultural and language differences affect their relationships. The study employed phenomenology as the theoretical framework for the research method and eight couples were interviewed throughout the process and reached saturation. Eight common themes were found related to cultural differences and four others were found related to language differences that are factors influencing the couples’ relationship and communication: Religion, extended family, gender roles, food, affection expression, residency, child rearing, and finances; iii communicating with extended family, expressing self and communicating in second language, learning a different language and lost in translation. Additionally, all eight couples agreed that their relationship is unique and provided examples to describe the elements of the uniqueness. Last, participants provided suggestions for mental health professionals on how they can be more effective in the process of counseling: Understanding and learning both cultures, be aware of language barriers, remind the couple the purpose of the relationship is “love” and acknowledge the impact of living in a third country. Implications for future research, existing theory and clinical practice for counseling psychologists are discussed. Keywords: qualitative study, phenomenology study, intercultural/multilingual couples, cultural difference, language difference, uniqueness, couple’s counseling iv ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS “We all need someone who gives us the courage to be who we were meant to be.” I remember the first day I arrived in this country to chase after my dream of getting an advanced degree. I traveled more than 7,000 miles with two 40-pound suitcases, a laptop and a rice cooker, and started a new life journey in Colorado. Now after 6 years, I am not only getting the degree I dreamt of, I am becoming a different person who owns this unique experience and phenomenon of living in a foreign country and creating a new life. There were too many stories to tell for this last six years, and I am using this study to present the hard work, the time, the tears, and joy of this special journey to everyone who loves and support me. During the past 6 years, there are many precious people who supported me in many different ways to complete this journey. My parents, Shaoping Chiang and Howling Tien, provided everything I could ever ask for to survive, and to face the challenges of being in graduate school, and to be strong enough to live thousands of miles away from my dearest family and friends. I would not have had the courage to chase after my dream for even one day if they had not been there for me. All of my family and friends in Taiwan and the US have been a source of my courage, with every email and letter they sent to me, every post on my Facebook page, and every gift given to me back in Taiwan. I would not have had the ability to finish this most challenging task v throughout graduate school without eating the snacks they bought me during many sleepless nights. During my time in Colorado, I was fortunate enough to have a second family to support me locally, the Hardings. My wonderful partner Justin and his family provided unconditional love and care when I felt beaten down by all the difficulties relating to living in a foreign country on my own. I want to say thank you to Gail and Jerry, who took me in and took care of me like their own daughter. I also want to acknowledge that Justin’s company, endless patience and understanding is one of the best things that ever happened to me in life. Last, Dr. Softas-Nall used all of her resources and knowledge to provide training, education and guidance for me, the young student who did not even know how to write a school paper in English just a few years ago. She is one of the best mentors I’ve ever had in my life and I learned not just academic knowledge, but also life lessons from her every moment we spent together. I also want to thank my dissertation committee, Dr. Wright, Dr. Cardona, and Dr. Clukey, who were generous in furnishing all the knowledge, guidance and encouragement I need to complete my dissertation. Last but not least, I am also grateful to all the participants. They are the reason for the success of this study. Now that the goal of this phase in my life is completed, I want to again share my appreciation for everyone in my life who has encouraged me to be who I am, and allowed me to become ready for the next challenge in my life. vi TABLE OF CONTENTS CHAPTER I. INTRODUCTION .................................................................................... 1 Rationale .................................................................................................. 3 Statement of Purpose ................................................................................ 6 Research Questions .................................................................................. 8 Delimitation ............................................................................................. 9 Intercultural/multilingual Couples ................................................. 9 In-depth Interview ......................................................................... 9 Definitions................................................................................................ 9 Limitations of the Study ......................................................................... 10 Summary ................................................................................................ 11 II. LITERATURE REVIEW ....................................................................... 13 Intercultural/Multilingual Relationship ................................................... 13 Systemic/Relational Theory .................................................................... 16 Cultural Differences ............................................................................... 19 Food and Drink ........................................................................... 20 When the meal is served .................................................. 22 Where the meal is served ................................................
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