Journal of Psychology: Interdisciplinary and Applied
Volume 150, Issue 6, 2016, Pages 793-808

Gaps Between Immigrant Spouses in Host Country Language Proficiency: Longitudinal Effects on Marital Satisfaction (Article)

Kanat-Maymon Y.* , Sarid O. , Mor Y. , Mirsky J. , Slonim-Nevo V.
  • a Interdisciplinary Center (IDC) Herzliya, Israel
  • b Ben-Gurion University, Israel
  • c Interdisciplinary Center (IDC) Herzliya, Israel
  • d Ben-Gurion University, Israel
  • e Ben-Gurion University, Israel

Abstract

Research on immigration underscores the importance of language acculturation in successful adjustment to life in a new country. However, the profound impact of different levels of language proficiency between immigrant spouses on their married life is an understudied topic. The current study explores whether differences between immigrant spouses in host language proficiency predict marital satisfaction in their first four years in the host country. Using a three-wave longitudinal study, with intervals of one to two years, we collected data from 316 married couples who immigrated from the Former Soviet Union to Germany and Israel. Language proficiency and marital satisfaction were measured via self-report questionnaires. We conducted an Actor-Partner Interdependence Model analysis to control for dyadic and time data dependencies. The results indicate that differences between spouses in their host language proficiency predict marital dissatisfaction, and that this effect is exacerbated over time. These associations held across gender and host country. The findings are discussed in light of the gap-distress model. © 2016 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.

Author Keywords

Language proficiency Immigration Marital satisfaction

Index Keywords

Germany longitudinal study Israel Spouses Longitudinal Studies human middle aged USSR marriage Humans migrant psychology male Emigrants and Immigrants female spouse adult Personal Satisfaction satisfaction Multilingualism
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84976381570&doi=10.1080%2f00223980.2016.1196159&partnerID=40&md5=a0c77765a8a7401ed4e726c4c75a7604
DOI: 10.1080/00223980.2016.1196159
ISSN: 00223980
Cited by: 4
Original Language: English