Popular culture representations of in-law relationships are frequently negative, and research has affirmed the communication difficulties associated with these non-kin, nonvoluntary relationships. Mother-in-law/daughter-in-law (MIL/DIL) relationships face unique challenges, as these women compete for the position of “kinkeeper,” or the person who manages relationships throughout the family. When MIL/DIL relationships are characterized by conflict and negative feelings toward one another, the family system suffers. To better understand the implications of “high conflict” MIL/DIL relationships on entire families, 27 DILs were interviewed about the turning points they had experienced with their MILs and the repercussions of the MIL/DIL relationship throughout the family system. Nine turning point categories emerged inductively from the data, along with several consequences for relationships throughout the family system, including DIL/husband, MIL/grandchildren, and husband/mother. Findings indicate high conflict MIL/DIL relationships do not just lead to negative outcomes for the two women involved, but also for other members across the family system.

Thesis (M.A.)--Baylor University, 2007. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 39-40).

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2009. / Title from title screen (site viewed September 08, 2009). PDF text: xii, 186 p. : ill. ; 990 K. UMI publication number: AAT 3350455. Includes bibliographical references. Also available in microfilm and microfiche formats.

Even in the context of the multicultural scholarship, there is a lack of psychological research addressing the in-law relationship experiences of East Asian American daughters-in-law (DILs) residing in the U.S., specifically with regard to the emotional impacts and resiliencies that these women may experience in the face of potentially conflictual family dynamics. The primary purpose of this study was to contribute to the multicultural psychology literature by exploring the cultural, relational, affective, and coping experiences of these women, especially with regard to their unique social location and cultural contexts of Confucian and European American influences. The present study utilized a consensual qualitative research (CQR) methodology to analyze the narratives of 12 Korean and Chinese American women who identified as 1.5 and 2nd generation and as DILs within their family network in the U.S. The results shed light into the affective and relational duress that they experienced due to their in-laws’ differing cultural values and traditional expectations. In particular, the participants reported that they often used indirect coping strategies to manage these stressors. The study offers multicultural training and practice recommendations for mental health service providers to consider when working with Korean and Chinese American women and their families.

Fundação Carlos Chagas Filho de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado do Rio de Janeiro / O presente trabalho tem como foco o parentesco por aliança, sendo esta uma relação que se estabelece sem o privilégio da escolha, tão cara aos indivíduos na contemporaneidade. Neste sentido, busca avaliar como se dá o processo de integração e inserção da nora na família por aliança e a percepção da sogra diante da chegada, na família, deste novo membro feminino; como os cônjuges, pivôs do parentesco por aliança, imprimem ritmo à relação com a parentela e ainda, que estratégias constroem para superação de tensões e conflitos. Os efeitos dos diferentes pertencimentos sociais sobre estas relações é um ponto que deve ser considerado na medida em que as trocas materiais são, muitas vezes, responsáveis pela aproximação dos indivíduos na família. Vale ressaltar as imagens de família como instrumento rico para análise das relações. / This current research focuses on the alliance relationship, which is a relationship that is established without the privilege of choice, so dear to people nowadays. In this sense, It assessed how it is the process of integration and insertion of the daughter-in-law in the family for alliance and the perception of the parents before the arrival in the family, this new female member, such as spouses, pivots of kinship by alliance, who gives rhythm to the relationship with relatives, and also that builds strategies to overcome tensions and conflicts. The effects of different social backgrounds on these relationships are a point that should be considered in that exchange materials which are often responsible for bringing the individuals in the family. It is noteworthy the family images like a rich instrument for analysis of relationships.

Fundação Carlos Chagas Filho de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado do Rio de Janeiro / O presente trabalho tem como foco o parentesco por aliança, sendo esta uma relação que se estabelece sem o privilégio da escolha, tão cara aos indivíduos na contemporaneidade. Neste sentido, busca avaliar como se dá o processo de integração e inserção da nora na família por aliança e a percepção da sogra diante da chegada, na família, deste novo membro feminino; como os cônjuges, pivôs do parentesco por aliança, imprimem ritmo à relação com a parentela e ainda, que estratégias constroem para superação de tensões e conflitos. Os efeitos dos diferentes pertencimentos sociais sobre estas relações é um ponto que deve ser considerado na medida em que as trocas materiais são, muitas vezes, responsáveis pela aproximação dos indivíduos na família. Vale ressaltar as imagens de família como instrumento rico para análise das relações. / This current research focuses on the alliance relationship, which is a relationship that is established without the privilege of choice, so dear to people nowadays. In this sense, It assessed how it is the process of integration and insertion of the daughter-in-law in the family for alliance and the perception of the parents before the arrival in the family, this new female member, such as spouses, pivots of kinship by alliance, who gives rhythm to the relationship with relatives, and also that builds strategies to overcome tensions and conflicts. The effects of different social backgrounds on these relationships are a point that should be considered in that exchange materials which are often responsible for bringing the individuals in the family. It is noteworthy the family images like a rich instrument for analysis of relationships.