Investigation of the Interactive Positive Processes of Couples with Different Characteristics: A Qualitative Study

Abstract

Interactive processes encompass all those aspects of interpersonal and intrapersonal processes that affect the communication loop of couples. This study aims to test positive interactive processes among couples with different personality traits. In order to collect data, twenty psychotherapists specializing in couples’ therapy and forty eight couples of different personality traits referred to counseling centers of Yazd city were selected (using purposeful sampling). Semi-structured interviews were conducted and the procedure continued up to data saturation. Additionally, books, articles and Internet sites were additionally used for data collection. The research method of qualitative content analysis was conducted.  positive test results obtained from the interactive processes between couples with different personality traits can be categorized into the open-ended codes of (levels of give and take, emotional control, Improve cognition, cognitive processing control, Efficient behaviors, planning, accountability, financial management and household) along with the four major codes of “cognitive, emotional, behavioral, and managerial” skills. Differences in personality traits can be traced to all mental, behavioral and functional dimensions of couples and can also influence the total level of communication between the couples. Therefore, taking these differences into account and learning how to manage them can reduce conflicts over such differences.