A Qualitative Analysis of the Therapeutic Experience of Couples Experiencing Marital Burnout
Keywords:
Marital burnout, couple therapy, lived experience, emotional regulation, thematic analysisAbstract
This study aimed to explore and interpret the lived experience of couples affected by marital burnout throughout the process of couple therapy. Using a qualitative interpretive phenomenological approach, fifteen couples from Tehran were purposively selected. Data were collected through in-depth semi-structured interviews and analyzed via interpretive thematic analysis. The analysis yielded 56 open codes, 17 subthemes, and 4 main themes, revealing a transformative trajectory from emotional exhaustion and relational disengagement toward cognitive awakening, emotional regulation, interactional reconstruction, and ultimately the renewal of marital bonds. Participants reported significant growth in intimacy, emotional security, commitment, and relational resilience. Couple therapy operates as a multidimensional and transformative process that not only alleviates marital burnout but also facilitates enduring relational restoration and psychological growth.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Ali Aghaziarati (Corresponding author); Hasan Rahimi (Author)
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