Expatriate Couples’ Adjustment: The Pros and Cons of Avoiding Interpersonal Conflict

41 Pages Posted: 24 Oct 2009 Last revised: 4 Nov 2009

See all articles by Kim van Erp

Kim van Erp

Eindhoven University of Technology (TUE)

Ellen Giebels

University of Twente - Faculty of Behavioural Sciences

Karen van der Zee

University of Groningen

Marijtje van Duijn

University of Groningen

Date Written: June 15, 2009

Abstract

This research examines the moderating effect of conflict avoidance on the relationship between interpersonal conflict and psychological adjustment among 56 expatriate couples at two points in time. We propose a model based on the Actor-Partner Interdependence Model - which assumes both individual and “cross-party” effects - to address simultaneously the effects of own and other’s avoidance behavior. We found substantial support for our model, in that both parties’ conflict perceptions were detrimental to their own psychological adjustment. Additionally, regarding avoidance, three factors were essential: I) role (expatriate versus expatriate partner), II) level of conflict, and III) time. First, direct and moderating effects of avoidance were only significant for expatriate partners, suggesting that expatriate partners are more sensitive to reaction to conflict than expatriates. Second, high conflict resulted in higher adjustment when avoidance was high, whereas low conflict resulted in higher adjustment when avoidance was low. Presumably, severe threats to the intimate relationship, that is, high conflict is better avoided, whereas smaller threats should be faced. Third, the findings were significant at Time 2, but not at Time 1. Implications of the findings for our understanding of expatriation are discussed.

Suggested Citation

van Erp, Kim and Giebels, Ellen and van der Zee, Karen and van Duijn, Marijtje, Expatriate Couples’ Adjustment: The Pros and Cons of Avoiding Interpersonal Conflict (June 15, 2009). 22nd Annual IACM Conference, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1493513 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.1493513

Kim Van Erp (Contact Author)

Eindhoven University of Technology (TUE) ( email )

PO Box 513
Eindhoven, 5600 MB
Netherlands

Ellen Giebels

University of Twente - Faculty of Behavioural Sciences ( email )

Netherlands

Karen Van der Zee

University of Groningen

P.O. Box 800
9700 AH Groningen, Groningen 9700 AV
Netherlands

Marijtje Van Duijn

University of Groningen ( email )

P.O. Box 800
9700 AH Groningen, Groningen 9700 AV
Netherlands

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