Married couples’ descriptions of good relationships: A qualitative study

Abstract

Most research on couple relationships have focused on conflicts and negative aspects. The target audience for this research was married couples who describe their relationship as good. The research question was: “How do married couples who consider their relationship as good describe it as such?” Data were collected through qualitative semi-structured interviews with three heterosexual couples in Norway. Using interpretive phenomenological analysis, three themes were identified: (1) the importance of talking together; (2) creating something together; and (3) having realistic expectations of each other. The couples had clear ideas regarding what characterises a good couple relationship. The language they used appeared to play a central role in co-creating the story of good couple relationships wherein in feeling safe and having shared values are emphasised. Realistic expectations were emphasised as well; they allowed space for differences and challenges in the relationship and in life in general. Efforts to ensure that the couple relationship was healthy were described as occurring natural for the couples. Together, these characteristics comprised what the couples described as a good couple relationship.»/>