"If it is investigated in research how an expat can perform better, it is virtually always the expats themselves that are scrutinized", says Kim van Erp. "Nevertheless, earlier research suggests that one of the chief factors for a good performance by the expats is the degree of adjustment shown by their partners. For partners the adjustment process is more difficult: often they are also highly educated and had good jobs in the Netherlands. 75 percent of the partners I talked to no longer had a job. And those who did have jobs were working below their level. Due to the fact that the partner does not have a job, the division of roles often changes also: the partner picks up childcare and household tasks again. This may bring about feelings of injustice. I noticed it myself as well when I traveled along with my friend for his work abroad: people always ask what your husband does, instead of what you do. That is awkward."

"My research shows that partners can have both a positive and a negative impact on each other with their feelings. If one partner has feelings of injustice, this affects both partners. It also works the other way round: if someone is feeling alright, this has a positive effect on their partner. If couples are aware of this, they can take measures together in order to stay out of a negative turn.

Companies and organizations also have a degree of responsibility here: they would do well to focus on the couple rather than on the 'expat' individual. Regardless how much they may pamper the individual, expat and partner will have a strong influence on each other. That is why it is important to involve both in the preparatory and support process. For couples themselves it is often difficult to gauge everything they will be confronted with, whereas organizations do know this: they have experienced it more often and can do a great deal to make life a bit more comfortable on the expat's partner." (HB)

The full dissertation can be found via:
http://dissertations.ub.rug.nl/faculties/ppsw/2011/k.j.p.m.van.erp/