Social Values and Self-Disclosure: A Comparison of Chinese Native, Chinese Resident (in U.S.) and North American Spouses

Abstract

Guided by the individualism-collectivism model, the present study examined the relationship between cultural values and marital processes among Chinese native, Chinese residents in America, and North American spouses. Respondents completed a questionnaire which assessed individualism, collectivism and self-disclosure. The results were mixed in their support of the model. As expected, we found that (a) Chinese resident wives were more individualistic than Chinese native wives, (b) Chinese resident husbands were more collectivistic than their North American counterparts, and (c) across gender, Chinese natives disclosed less than both Chinese residents and North Americans. Contrary to individualism-collectivism, however, we found that (a) Chinese resident husbands were more collectivistic than Chinese native husbands, and (b) Chinese native wives were less collectivistic than Chinese resident and North American wives. The empirical and conceptual factors which might have contributed to this pattern of findings are discussed.

A Cross-Cultural Comparison of Parental and Peer Attachment Styles among Adult Children from the United States, Puerto Rico, and India

“…India and Puerto Rico were selected because they represent collectivistic cultures and the United States is generally considered to be individualistic. Since Triandis' (1972) monumental contribution to understanding subjective culture and Hofstede's (1980) Culture's Consequences, the constructs of individualism and collectivism have been central to intercultural studies (e.g., Fitzpatrick et al, 2006). In general, collectivistic societies emphasize group cohesiveness, emotional interdependence, obligation, and group solidarity.…”

Cancer-related loneliness mediates the relationships between social constraints and symptoms among cancer patients

“…Specifically, greater social constraints were only associated with greater symptoms among highly acculturated women. Disclosure is often more highly valued in American than Chinese culture (Fitzpatrick et al, 2006); thus, greater social constraints on disclosure were only associated with greater symptoms among women valuing or expecting disclosure. Relatedly, studies of patients with prostate and colorectal cancer found that socially constraining behaviors were more harmful to mental health for those reporting a greater need for emotional expression (Agustsdottir et al, 2010; Dagan et al, 2014).…”

Cultural Values, Self-Disclosure, and Conflict Tactics as Predictors of Marital Satisfaction Among Singaporean Husbands and Wives

“…Quek and Knudson-Martin (2006) also reported that there was significant self-disclosure about important topics among Singaporean spouses. Similarly, past research has revealed linkages between self-disclosure and marital satisfaction for Chinese spouses (Fitzpatrick, Liang et. al, 2006).…”

“…Although the specific ways in which spouses communicate might vary across cultures, cross-national studies have revealed that of revelation of information (self-disclosure) or efforts to address problems (conflict tactics) are quite common (Bell & Bell, 2000). For example, past research has shown that self-disclosure and conflict affected marital satisfaction among Chinese and American spouses (Fitzpatrick, Feng, et al, 2006). Given that prior research has demonstrated relevance to marital satisfaction, it seemed worthwhile to examine the role of such proximal factors among Singaporean husbands and wives.…”