Expanding the family circle: Local in‐law relationships and their role in supporting foreign spouses.

Objective Background Method Results Conclusion Implications This study investigates the role of local families‐in‐law in the lives of foreign spouses from low‐income, cross‐national families in Singapore, focusing on their potential as a source of support for social integration and access to resources.Foreign spouses in Singapore face challenges related to social integration and access to resources, and local in‐law relationships have been identified as a potential source of support.In‐depth interviews with 18 Chinese‐national foreign spouses were analyzed using thematic analysis.Siblings‐in‐law were vital to foreign spouses, providing more emotional and practical support than parents‐in‐law. Local in‐law relationships influenced foreign spouses' identification with locals, and the local in‐laws' familiarity with local resources and networks facilitated access to formal and informal services, contributing to equitable outcomes.Local families‐in‐law play a critical role in the lives of foreign spouses in Singapore, especially siblings‐in‐law. The findings highlight the potential of local in‐law relationships as a support system for cross‐national families.The study's findings can inform policies and practices that support the well‐being of cross‐national families. Policymakers and practitioners should recognize the potential of local in‐law relationships and develop programs to strengthen them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]