Abstract
Counselling “Mixed” Couples dealing with distance: Promoting Mental Health and Intimacy
Dr. Rashmi Singla
Associate Professor
Department for People and Technology
An overview
This paper offers research-based knowledge about couples dealing with two salient dimensions of couple relationship – interraciality / mixedness and distance, based on a research project in Denmark, though with a global outreach (Singla, 2024) *. It explores academically under-researched phenomena, using a newly- coined term, living apart together transnationally - LATT couples.
The key objective are exploring dynamics of relationship maintenance across distance for intimate couples and providing clinicians, practitioners resources to deal constructively with mixed couples , including LATT.
The study has an interdisciplinary theoretical framework, drawing primarily from social - psychology with a decolonizing and strength-based approach contexts, with immigration policies (Singla, 2015) ** and the normative ‘gender-order’ forming the background. Maintaining intimacy, dealing simultaneously with interracial dynamics and distance, is investigated through social matters, followed by gender-positions, emotional aspects, concepts of digital technology, physical intimacy, and spirituality. In-depth interviews with 17 heterosexual and three same-sex couples and a follow-up about the Covid-19 pandemic were conducted. The narratives were subjected to interpretive thematic analysis.
The paper presents case studies - lived experiences of two couples: Danish women with non -EU / Global South partners, from India and Benin respectively, including their racial discrimination related to restrictive immigration regime in Denmark, and challenging the dominant discourse - proximity and cohabitation are necessary for intimacy.
Research implications
Digital technology’s contribution and limitation in relationship - maintenance and meaning- making through spirituality are shown, along with suspicions of unconventional intimate relationships across ethnic divisions and developing racial literacy, dexterity. These have implications for psychosocial services for LATT couples as they contribute to practitioners, skills such as opening space to discuss painful discrimination countering colour- blindness, reflecting on own power and privilege. Further research implications such as longitudinal studies are presented to deal constructively with intimacy, distance and mixedness.
*Singla, R. (2024). Living apart together transnationally (LATT) couples: Promoting mental health and intimacy. Springer.
** Singla, R. (2015) Intermarriage and Mixed Parenting: Promoting Mental health & Wellbeing Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan
Abstract -299 words
Dr. Rashmi Singla
Associate Professor
Department for People and Technology
An overview
This paper offers research-based knowledge about couples dealing with two salient dimensions of couple relationship – interraciality / mixedness and distance, based on a research project in Denmark, though with a global outreach (Singla, 2024) *. It explores academically under-researched phenomena, using a newly- coined term, living apart together transnationally - LATT couples.
The key objective are exploring dynamics of relationship maintenance across distance for intimate couples and providing clinicians, practitioners resources to deal constructively with mixed couples , including LATT.
The study has an interdisciplinary theoretical framework, drawing primarily from social - psychology with a decolonizing and strength-based approach contexts, with immigration policies (Singla, 2015) ** and the normative ‘gender-order’ forming the background. Maintaining intimacy, dealing simultaneously with interracial dynamics and distance, is investigated through social matters, followed by gender-positions, emotional aspects, concepts of digital technology, physical intimacy, and spirituality. In-depth interviews with 17 heterosexual and three same-sex couples and a follow-up about the Covid-19 pandemic were conducted. The narratives were subjected to interpretive thematic analysis.
The paper presents case studies - lived experiences of two couples: Danish women with non -EU / Global South partners, from India and Benin respectively, including their racial discrimination related to restrictive immigration regime in Denmark, and challenging the dominant discourse - proximity and cohabitation are necessary for intimacy.
Research implications
Digital technology’s contribution and limitation in relationship - maintenance and meaning- making through spirituality are shown, along with suspicions of unconventional intimate relationships across ethnic divisions and developing racial literacy, dexterity. These have implications for psychosocial services for LATT couples as they contribute to practitioners, skills such as opening space to discuss painful discrimination countering colour- blindness, reflecting on own power and privilege. Further research implications such as longitudinal studies are presented to deal constructively with intimacy, distance and mixedness.
*Singla, R. (2024). Living apart together transnationally (LATT) couples: Promoting mental health and intimacy. Springer.
** Singla, R. (2015) Intermarriage and Mixed Parenting: Promoting Mental health & Wellbeing Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan
Abstract -299 words
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Publication date | 9 Jan 2026 |
| Number of pages | 1 |
| Publication status | Published - 9 Jan 2026 |
| Event | 6th International Conference on Counselling and Psychotherapy: Building Bridges for Wellness in the Digital Era - Montford College, Bangalore , India Duration: 7 Jan 2026 → 9 Jan 2026 Conference number: 6 https://www.iccp2026.com/ |
Conference
| Conference | 6th International Conference on Counselling and Psychotherapy |
|---|---|
| Number | 6 |
| Location | Montford College |
| Country/Territory | India |
| City | Bangalore |
| Period | 07/01/2026 → 09/01/2026 |
| Other | The conference, sixth of its kind, seeks to create a platform to share research and practice in counseling and psychotherapy and traditional healing practices within a context of multiculturalism and diversity. The heart of the conference lies in building bridges (partnerships, collaborations , networking and interdisciplinarity) for wellness in the digital era. The sixth edition of the conference is organized by Montfort College and Institute of Advanced Studies, Bangalore in association with Centre for Diversity in Counselling and Psychotherapy, OISE, University of Toronto Canada and the Neuropathways Institute, Bangalore and Academic Partners. |
| Internet address |
UN SDGs
This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
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SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being -
SDG 5 Gender Equality -
SDG 10 Reduced Inequalities
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