Explaining Relationship Reconstruction Strategies After Psychological Violence Among Couples: A Qualitative Study
Keywords:
psychological violence, relationship reconstruction, couples, marital trust, qualitative study, thematic analysisAbstract
This study aimed to explain relationship reconstruction strategies after psychological violence among couples. This qualitative study was conducted using thematic analysis. The participants included 24 married individuals living in Tehran who had experienced psychological violence in their marital relationship and had attempted to reconstruct the relationship. Participants were selected through purposive sampling based on predefined inclusion criteria, and recruitment continued until theoretical saturation was achieved. Data were collected through in-depth semi-structured interviews. Each interview lasted between 45 and 75 minutes and was audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and prepared for analysis after informed consent was obtained. Data analysis was conducted using NVivo software and followed the phases of thematic analysis, including familiarization with the data, initial coding, searching for themes, reviewing themes, defining and naming themes, and producing the final report. To enhance trustworthiness, member checking, peer debriefing, thick contextual description, and an audit trail of analytical decisions were used. The analysis resulted in five main categories: redefining psychological safety and stopping the cycle of harm, accepting responsibility and moving beyond denial, reconstructing emotional dialogue and being heard, repairing trust through behavioral consistency and transparency, and redesigning relational boundaries through professional and social support. The findings indicated that relationship reconstruction cannot be achieved through apology or superficial return to marital life alone; rather, it requires stopping humiliating behaviors, explicitly acknowledging harm, creating new communication rules, gradually rebuilding trust, and using therapeutic support. The findings showed that relationship reconstruction after psychological violence is a gradual, conditional, and safety-dependent process. Couples who were able to identify and stop abusive patterns, demonstrate behavioral accountability, and establish safe and transparent communication were more likely to experience relational repair. These findings may inform the development of couple-therapy interventions sensitive to psychological violence.
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