A Systematic Review of Theoretical Frameworks in Chinese Mother-in-Law/Daughter-in-Law Conflict
Abstract
Against the backdrop of China’s ongoing social transformation, research on mother - in - law/daughter - in - law (MIL - DIL) conflict discourse encounters a central theoretical dilemma: a persistent disconnection between dominant Western paradigms and the specificities of Chinese cultural practice. This systematic literature review, conducted in accordance with PRISMA guidelines, critically examines 24 eligible studies (1990–2025) retrieved from CNKI, Scopus, and Google Scholar. The analysis reveals that while existing scholarship has evolved into a multidisciplinary domain encompassing seven major theoretical perspectives—with politeness/impoliteness and language/communication frameworks being most frequent—it remains disproportionately reliant on Western models. These imported frameworks demonstrate significant limitations in elucidating the culturally embedded, dynamic interplay among Confucian ethical norms, complex face (mianzi) strategies, and intergenerational power reproduction that characterize Chinese family conflicts. The study further identifies a pervasive binary dilemma in current research, manifesting as fragmented analytical dimensions and a lack of systemic integration capable of addressing the nested nature of ethics, face, and power. In response, this review proposes a conceptual, dynamic three-dimensional model integrating ethics, face, and power (EFP) as a more culturally congruent analytical framework. It concludes by underscoring the imperative for future research to advance indigenous theoretical construction and employ multimodal methodologies, thereby furnishing a robust, context-sensitive foundation for developing effective family conflict intervention strategies in China.
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