Communication and Couple Satisfaction of Women in Cross-National Marriages and Korean Husbands: Mediating Effect of Intimacy

Abstract

This study examined gender differences in couple satisfaction and communication patterns between women in cross-national marriages and their Korean husbands, couple satisfaction levels varying by communication patterns, and the mediating effect of intimacy on the relationship between communication and couple satisfaction. The study sample is 161 couples of women in cross-national marriages and their Korean husbands residing in Gyeongnam Province, South Korea. Women in cross-national marriages reported significantly lower couple satisfaction and revealed more negative communication patterns compared to their Korean husbands. Couples where both spouses engaged in positive communication experienced the highest levels of couple satisfaction. Multi-group structural equation modeling suggested the mediating effect of intimacy on the relationship between communication and couple satisfaction for both women in cross-national marriages and Korean husbands. These findings have implications for developing policy and practice interventions enhancing couple satisfaction among women in cross-national marriages and their Korean husbands through improved communication and intimacy.