Analysis of Psychological Factors Influencing Emotional Burnout Among Spouses

Abstract

This study aims to systematically elucidate the psychological mechanisms underlying emotional burnout among spouses based on existing scientific evidence. This qualitative review study adopted an analytical approach. The research corpus consisted of peer-reviewed articles on emotional burnout and marital relationships, selected through purposive sampling until theoretical saturation was achieved; ultimately, 15 eligible articles were included. Data were collected exclusively through systematic literature review. Qualitative content analysis was conducted using NVivo software (version 14), following open, axial, and selective coding procedures to extract conceptual patterns and interrelationships among components. The results indicated that emotional burnout among spouses emerges from the dynamic interaction of three major domains: emotional–individual vulnerabilities (deficits in emotion regulation, insecure attachment styles, negative self-concept, and adverse emotional experiences), dysfunctional interactional patterns (impaired emotional communication, chronic conflict cycles, reduced intimacy, power imbalance, and unstable emotional support), and contextual–psychological stressors (economic and occupational stress, erosion of family roles, lack of social support, stressful life events, and limited coping resources). Over time, the cumulative effects of these factors lead to emotional exhaustion, depletion of emotional capital, and progressive emotional disengagement within the marital relationship. Emotional burnout is a complex, multi-level, and gradual process that requires integrative interventions at individual, relational, and contextual levels. The findings provide a theoretical foundation for developing marital counseling programs, emotional skills training, and family health promotion policies.