| Marital conflict has been extensively researched in the west, which has resulted in several clinical approaches to intervening in distressed marriages. Cultural psychologists have attempted to translate these approaches to non-western contexts in order to address marital conflict among those cultures. However, such translation may not always be effective given the cultures' non-western worldview. This paper argues that marital interventions developed in the western, American context may not always be applicable to a non-western context, specifically China, given the different historical, political and social narratives between these two countries. A close examination of these narratives is crucial in understanding the various facets of love, relationships and conflict that may be culturally specific. As such, this paper argues the need to (a) thoroughly analyze the socio-political context as a means of informing oneself about China's current understanding of love, marriage and relationships, (b) gain a more culturally sensitive understanding of the particular sources of marital conflict in China, which may not exist in western society, and (c) reflect on how attachment theory can be adapted as a framework to design interventions that aim to manage marital conflict in China. |
