This research study explores the interlinkages of three major themes, namely transcultural romantic love relationships (TRLRs), sense of coherence (SOC), and identity development (ID) in individuals who are presently involved in romantic love relationships (RLR) with partners from different cultural or ethnic backgrounds. The study uses a qualitative research design within the hermeneutical interpretative research paradigm, aiming to understand the interlinkages of TRLR, SOC, and ID. Based on purposive and snowball sampling techniques, the study includes 22 participants (12 female and 10 male) between 23 and 68 years of age, from 14 different (self-defined) cultural backgrounds. At the time of the interview, participants had been in TRLRs for at least 6 months to a maximum of 26 years. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and analysed through content analysis. Qualitative quality criteria and ethical considerations were applied. The findings show that TRLRs are firmly based on relationship qualities, strong feelings, common actions, spirituality, and future orientation. Further, the findings present clear interlinkages between TRLR and SOC, contributing positively to meaningfulness, manageability, and comprehensibility. Finally, TRLRs support SOC on intrapersonal, cultural, and interpersonal levels. In addition, they influence the development of identity awareness, actions, feelings, and sexual SOC. Conclusions, limitations, and recommendations for theory and practice are provided.
Author(s): Claude-Hélène Mayer
Series: SpringerBriefs in Psychology
Publisher: Springer
Year: 2023
Language: English
Pages: 73
City: Cham
Acknowledgements
Abstract
Contents
About the Author
List of Tables
Chapter 1: Introduction
1.1 Introducing Love
1.2 Introducing Salutogenesis
1.3 Introducing Identity and Its Development
1.4 Problem Statement, Contribution and Aim of the Study
1.5 Structure of This Brief
Chapter 2: Theoretical Background
2.1 Love and Transcultural Romantic Love Relationships
2.2 Sense of Coherence as a Life Orientation
2.3 Identity and Its Development
2.4 Integrating the Concepts
Chapter 3: Research Methodology
3.1 Research Design and Paradigm
3.2 Sample and Sampling Procedure
3.3 Data Collection
3.4 Data Analysis and Reporting
3.5 Qualitative Quality Criteria
3.6 Ethics and Ethical Considerations
3.7 Limitations
Chapter 4: Findings
4.1 Demographical and Biographical Data
4.2 Transcultural Romantic Love Relationships
4.2.1 Relationship Qualities
4.2.2 Feelings
4.2.3 Actions
4.2.4 Spirituality
4.2.5 Future
4.3 Sense of Coherence as Life Orientation
4.3.1 Comprehensibility and Transcultural Romantic Love Relationships
4.3.1.1 Increased or Revised Understanding of the World
4.3.1.2 Increased or Revised Self-Understanding
4.3.2 Manageability and Transcultural Romantic Love Relationships
4.3.2.1 Manage the Relationship Through Values and Ideas
4.3.2.2 Manage the Relationship Through Action
4.3.3 Meaningfulness and Transcultural Romantic Love Relationships
4.3.3.1 Interpersonal Meaningfulness
4.3.3.2 Positive Feelings
4.3.3.3 Intrapersonal Meaningfulness
4.3.3.4 Spirituality
4.3.3.5 Others
4.4 Transcultural Identity Development
4.4.1 Intrapersonal Identity Development
4.5 Cultural Identity Development
4.5.1 Intercultural Competence
4.5.1.1 Cultural Practices
4.5.1.2 Centre of Life
4.5.1.3 Religious and Spiritual Identity
4.6 Interpersonal Identity Development
4.6.1 Identity Self-Awareness
4.6.2 Actions
4.6.3 Feelings
4.6.4 Sexual Identity
4.7 Interlinking the Findings
Chapter 5: Discussion
5.1 Transcultural Romantic Love Relationships
5.2 Sense of Coherence in Transcultural Romantic Love Relationships
5.3 Identity Development in Transcultural Romantic Love Relationships
5.4 The Interlinkages of Transcultural Romantic Love Relationships, Sense of Coherence and Identity Development
Chapter 6: Conclusions, Limitations and Recommendations
References
