Identity, Couple and Intergroup Dynamics in Intercultural Families: Implications on Life Satisfaction of Partners CINZIA NOVARA* CONSUELO SERIO* GIOACCHINO LAVANCO* MASSIMILIANO SCHIRINZI* GIANLUIGI MOSCATO † The current study analyzed how identity, couple, and intergroup dynamics are related to life satisfaction among 210 intercultural partners living in Italy. Three levels of analysis were considered: a micro level, taking into account the identity aspect of each partner in terms of self- or hetero-ethnic identification; a meso level, examining the passion, commit- ment, and intimacy of the couple sphere of the partners; a macro level investigating the dis- crimination that partners can perceive by the community as an effect of the relationship between dominant and minority groups. The results show that for both partners, foreign and Italian, the variables that have a predictive value on life satisfaction bring into play the couple and the intergroup dynamics, leaving out the identitary one. Specifically, increased perceived discrimination as a member of a mixed couple leads to decreased life satisfaction by partners. In turn, we can see that a strong intimacy between partners enhances their life satisfaction. These results introduce a reflection on the role of the differ- ences about the ethnic identity, considered erroneously the main cause of dissatisfaction in the mixed couple. The implications of the study are described and suggestions for future research discussed. Keywords: Intermarriage; Bicultural Couple; Life Satisfaction; Discrimination; Ethnic Identification Fam Proc x:1–16, 2019 INTERCULTURAL COUPLE RELATIONSHIPS IN ITALY T he present study analyzed a growing phenomenon in Italy known as intercultural or mixed families. The mixed (bicultural or intercultural) couple is the union of individuals belonging to different cultural, national, or religious contexts (Waldman & Rubalcava, 2005). The term “mixed” (originally, mixit e in French) is quite controversial because it is a descriptor attached predominantly to individuals rather than to partnerships or house- holds and, because it is a dynamic and contextual category based on a perception of *Department of Psychology, Educational Science and Human Movement, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy. † Department of Social Psychology, University of Malaga, Malaga, Spain. Correspondence concerning this article should be addressed to Cinzia Novara, Department of Psychol- ogy, Educational Science and Human Movement, University of Palermo, Viale delle Scienze, building 15, 90127 Palermo, Italy. E-mails: cinzia.novara@unipa.it; cinzia.novara@gmail.com 1 Family Process, Vol. x, No. x, 2019 © 2019 Family Process Institute doi: 10.1111/famp.12437