Culturally Diverse Associations of Marital Beliefs Between Emerging Adults From Türkiye and the United States

Abstract: The current study explores the marital beliefs of emerging adults from Türkiye ( n = 347) and the United States ( n = 556) with emphasis on how individual and family predictors might differentially associate with marital beliefs by each cultural group. Controlling for differences regarding gender, sexual orientation, age, being in a relationship, and religious centrality, the samples differed on most of the six types of marital beliefs as prescribed by Marital Paradigm Theory. Overall, the Turkish sample placed relatively less importance on getting married and on the centrality of the marital role, but generally held more conventional beliefs (e.g., shorter ideal engagement lengths, younger age at marriage, merging of identities, marital permanence). Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) indicated that some individual (gender, age, current relationship status) and family background (married biological parents, parents’ marital quality, maternal support) predictors of marital beliefs differed by sample. This study deepens understanding of marital expectations and intentions and underscores how these intersecting factors can inform efforts to promote healthy marital perspectives.