How intermarriage between Chinese women and Caucasian men starting with Internet-dating evolves over time - from the Chinese wives' perspective

This research explored How intermarriage between Chinese women and Caucasian men starting with Internet-dating evolves over time from the Chinese wives’ perspective. Existing literature suggests that inter-marriages are often more problematic and less successful than intra-marriages. However, studies focusing on inter-marriage involving both Chinese participants and researchers are scarce. There was historically little knowledge and understanding about this type of inter-marriage. Thus this research aims to generate a theoretical model for mental health professionals to gain a good understanding of it, thereby supporting their clients with increasing evidence-based confidence. On this basis, later researchers could also advance the explorations further in this field. This is a qualitative study adopting Charmaz’s social constructivist grounded theory methodological approach. Four intermarried Chinese wives were recruited, and three-hour (on average) semi-structured in-depth interview was conducted with each participant. The research findings reveal the basic and dynamic social-psychological process of how this particular type of inter-marriage evolves over time. Six sequenced stages are identified, in which the couples purposefully proceeded with their relationships step by step. This is a progressive process to test out the extent to which the reality meets marital expectations and desirable compatibilities, which contributed to the marital satisfactions. ‘Good matches’ cannot always be nicely expected, thus adaptations and problem-solving are involved. This group of Chinese wives demonstrated shared personal attributes and capabilities when facing emerging ‘differences’, ‘difficulties’, and ‘uncertainties’ in their marital lives. In addition, the nature of this type of marriage seems to have determined a developmental tendency, which may have implications for the ongoing marital relationship. The following four core categories crystallized through a thorough and in-depth analysis of data, i.e. 1) Purposefully progressed stages; 2) Good matches: fulfillment of marital expectations and couple compatibilities; 3) Adaptations and problem solving; 4) Shifting contributions and power. All four core categories integrated into a larger whole thus provide a holistic picture of and comprehensive understanding of this type of inter-marriage. This research is original and contributes novel insights to the field of inter-marriage study and counselling psychology