Crossover, Culture, and Dual-Earner Couples

This chapter discusses the international scope of research conducted on crossover, comparing crossover research from different national cultures and with an overall focus on the experiences of crossover experienced by dual-earner couples. The crossover and spillover processes are defined, with the key difference being that crossover specifically involves the interpersonal transmission of experiences and/or emotions from one individual to another. We discuss crossover involving both negative (e.g., strain) and positive (e.g., resources) processes and briefly review the identified 101 published empirical crossover articles based on samples originating from 17 different countries. Finally, we recommend specific areas for future crossover research including: assessments of the long-lasting crossover effects, the impact of social cultures and family size on the crossover process, the extent to which partners actively (rather than passively) influence crossover, and the refined assessment of gender differences in crossover research.