Individual and Relational Outcomes of Inter-religious Marriage: A Scoping Review

Area of Science:

• Sociology
• Psychology
• Family Studies

Background:

• Inter-religious marriages involve partners from different religious backgrounds.
• These unions face distinct challenges and opportunities not fully synthesized in existing literature.
• Understanding individual and relational outcomes is crucial for supporting these families.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review and synthesize existing literature on the individual and relational outcomes of inter-religious marriages.
• To explore the social, psychological, and cultural aspects of interfaith couples and their families.
• To identify gaps in current research regarding interfaith marital dynamics.

Main Methods:

• A scoping review was conducted following Arksey and O'Malley's framework and PRISMA-ScR guidelines.
• A comprehensive literature search was performed across multiple academic databases (Scopus, PubMed, Google Scholar, etc.) from 2004 to 2024.
• 1,276 references were screened, with 19 peer-reviewed articles selected for synthesis.

Main Results:

• Four major themes emerged: marital adjustment and tensions, psychological impacts, marital instability and dissolution, and strengths and opportunities.
• Inter-religious couples experience significant challenges, including familial opposition, identity conflicts, and cultural/religious disputes.
• Psychological distress and marital instability are notable outcomes, alongside identified strengths and opportunities within these relationships.

Conclusions:

• Inter-religious marriages face complex challenges requiring societal and institutional support.
• Further research is needed on adaptive coping strategies for interfaith couples in diverse cultural contexts.
• Addressing the unique needs of inter-religious families is essential for promoting marital well-being.