Relational dialectics and management strategies in marital couples

Abstract

This study explores dialectical contradictions in marriage and identifies the communication strategies used to manage the dialectical tensions. Qualitative analysis of transcripts from separate semi‐structured interviews with husbands and wives focused on two dialectical contradictions: autonomy‐connection and openness‐closedness. Themes of the autonomy‐connection dialectic included contradiction, togetherness, independence, and comfort. Themes of the openness‐closedness dialectic included were perception of shared intimacy, fear of vulnerability, and desire for increased interaction. Communication strategies used to manage the autonomy‐connection dialectic were activities segmentation, time segmentation, reframing, interaction climate, compromise, and exclusive selection. Communication strategies used to manage the openness‐closedness dialectic were topic alternation, time alternation, withdrawal, probing, anti‐social behaviors, and deception. The essay discusses how these findings both support and extend previous research.