Analysis of Cognitive Processes Influencing Marital Misinterpretations
Keywords:
Marital misinterpretation, cognitive processes, emotion regulation, interpersonal attribution, marital satisfactionAbstract
This study aims to qualitatively elucidate the underlying cognitive mechanisms of marital misinterpretations and to develop an integrated conceptual framework for understanding relational conflict dynamics. This research employed an interpretive qualitative review design using systematic thematic analysis. Data were collected exclusively through literature review, and following targeted database searches, 13 eligible scholarly articles were selected. Data analysis was conducted using NVivo 14, following open, axial, and selective coding procedures until theoretical saturation was achieved. Analytical rigor was ensured through continuous comparison, repeated data immersion, and stabilization of conceptual categories. Results revealed that marital misinterpretations emerge from the interaction of three core processes: cognitive distortions in relational information processing, maladaptive cognitive emotion regulation patterns, and dysfunctional interpersonal attributions and meaning-making. These mechanisms operate within a negative feedback loop that intensifies chronic conflict, erodes cognitive trust, and gradually undermines marital intimacy. Effective marital interventions must prioritize cognitive restructuring, attributional correction, and emotional self-regulation rather than relying solely on surface-level communication training.
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