New research examines how social approval from different sources predicts relationship quality for intercultural couples. Researchers found that having supportive friends can be a powerful protective factor, especially when they face disapproval from family or society more broadly.
The research, published in Social Psychological and Personality Science, advances research on intercultural relationships by drawing on a large sample of people in such relationships. This sample allowed researchers to study how social approval varies across cultural backgrounds, racial pairing, relationship length, and gender.
"The results highlight that friends and family can play distinct roles: for example, people from more collectivistic cultures, such as Latine and Middle Eastern backgrounds, and those in the early stages of relationships tend to value family approval more," says lead author Hanieh Naeimi, of the University of Toronto. "Ultimately, this research underscores how vital it is for intercultural couples to build supportive social networks that understand and respect their relationship."
Researchers asked 757 participants about the level of social approval they think their relationship receives from family, friends, and society more broadly. Participants also reflected on both the quality of their relationship and their commitment to it.
Approval from friends emerged as the strongest predictor of relationship quality, particularly for couples in which both partners come from minority cultural backgrounds. Family approval also mattered, but mainly for couples from collectivistic cultures and those in the early stages of their relationships.
Naeimi notes that these results are especially relevant today, in a time of increasing global mobility combined with racial and social division.
"Our findings highlight that friendships can help buffer couples against disapproval, fostering connection in an increasingly polarized world," explains Naeimi.
The authors warned against downplaying the importance of family approval or overemphasizing the role of support from friends. They note that the effects of social approval depend on cultural background, relationship length, and couple composition.
This research also focuses on intercultural romantic partnerships and should not be generalized to apply in all types of relationships.
Going forward, Naeimi would like to explore how friends provide support – whether through validation, advocacy, or inclusion – and how these dynamics unfold over time. In the meantime, she explains that this study can help us understand intercultural relationships and the unique challenges they face.
"This research reminds us that love does not happen in a vacuum – it is shaped by our social worlds," says Naeimi. "Supportive friends, families, and communities can make all the difference."
