Power distribution, gender role beliefs, and their impact on the marital satisfaction of immigrant indian couples

Sarayu L Chandrashekar, Purdue University

Abstract

This study explores the marital satisfaction of first-generation immigrant Indian couples using a sample of approximately 200 individuals. Distribution of power in marital relationships and spouses' understanding of gender roles have both been found to affect marital satisfaction in couples (Gray-Little, 1982; Schwartz, 1994). Acculturative stress has also been found to cause marital distress in immigrant couples (Ben-David & Lavee, 1994). However, there has not been much research on how these factors affect the marital satisfaction of immigrant Indian couples in the U.S. This study aims to understand how power distribution and gender role attitudes may impact the marital satisfaction of immigrant Indian couples moderated by the acculturative stress they might be experiencing. Participants were recruited by clicking on the survey weblink found on the website, Amazon Turk. After participants clicked on the link and consented to participate in the study, they were asked to complete a marital decision-making scale, a gender role beliefs questionnaire, a marital satisfaction inventory, and an acculturative stress scale and answered some demographic questions. The following hypotheses have been tested. There will be differences in marital satisfaction as a function of decision-making style. Immigrant Indian individuals classified as syncratic decision-makers will have the highest marital satisfaction, followed by the autonomic decision-makers, husband-dominated decision-makers, and wife-dominated decision-makers. Gender-linked role beliefs will predict low marital satisfaction in immigrant Indian couples. Gender-transcendent role beliefs will predict significantly high marital satisfaction in immigrant Indian couples. There will be a Gender x Patriarchal Dimension interaction such that males will be happier than females with the husband-dominated decision-making style than wife-dominated, autonomic or syncratic decision-making styles in immigrant Indian couples. There will be a Gender X Egalitarian Dimension interaction such that females will be happier than males with the syncratic decision-making style than the autonomic decision-making style in immigrant Indian couples. The patriarchal, egalitarian, and separate sphere dimensions of decision-making styles will be better predictors of marital satisfaction than gender role beliefs in immigrant Indian couples. Lastly, acculturative stress will moderate the impact of decision-making ability and gender role beliefs on marital satisfaction in immigrant Indian couples while being controlled for the individual's personal income and having employment outside the home.

Degree

M.S.

Advisors

Nalbone, Purdue University.

Subject Area

Behavioral psychology|Individual & family studies

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