Key topics of cross-cultural family psychological counseling for Russian women married to UAE nationals

Abstract

Purpose. Sociocultural analysis of the main topics of cross-cultural psychological counseling of Russian women in intercultural marriages with UAE nationals.Context and relevance. In the context of increasing migration and intercultural contacts, the number of cross-cultural marriages in which spouses face problems related to the socio-cultural context is growing, which in turn requires the counseling psychologist to understand this context and be culturally sensitive to all the components of the consultative process. Research design. The article presents a qualitative thematic analysis of the results of the research conducted in 2023. Participants. The research involved 11 Russian women living in UAE in cross-cultural marriages with Emirati men – UAE nationals. Methods (tools). The study is based on a semi-structured interview method and a thematic analysis of the results obtained. Results. The main topics of cross-cultural family counseling of Russian women married to UAE nationals were identified: ambivalence of the social status of Russian women married to Emiratis; difficulties in communicating with the husband’s extended family and rejection of Russian women by the Emirati female world; loneliness and resources of religious coping; transformation of cultural identity; the need to sacrifice their professional ambitions and career restrictions; limitation of social contacts. Main conclusions. The use of the socio-cultural approach in modern Russian psychology, which involves taking into account the socio-cultural context when constructing the therapeutic process, establishing a therapeutic alliance, analyzing the request and all psychotherapeutic work, opens up opportunities and resources for psychological counseling in the situation of migration, adaptation in a new cultural environment, cross-cultural communication in marriage with a foreign-cultural partner.