Explaining the Emotional Dynamics of Marital Conflicts within the Framework of Contemporary Therapeutic Models
Keywords:
Marital conflict, emotional dynamics, emotion regulation, couple therapy, attachment, emotional securityAbstract
This study aimed to explain the emotional mechanisms underlying marital conflicts within the framework of contemporary couple therapy models. This qualitative systematic review employed thematic analysis of 19 selected peer-reviewed articles. Data were collected through a targeted literature review and analyzed until theoretical saturation was achieved using NVivo 14. Open, axial, and selective coding procedures were applied. Results revealed three core categories: emotional regulation, emotional interaction patterns, and contemporary therapeutic interventions. Deficits in emotional awareness, cognitive emotion regulation, and empathy intensified conflicts, whereas effective emotional regulation enhanced emotional security and marital satisfaction. Emotion-focused, acceptance-based, and schema-based therapies were found to play critical roles in restructuring negative interaction cycles and strengthening emotional bonds. Marital conflict is fundamentally an emotional and interactive phenomenon, and effective intervention requires systematic focus on emotion regulation, attachment patterns, and emotional security within the relationship.
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