Let’s WhatsApp! Generation X couples’ online and offline relationship patterns in the digital age

This article proposes that WhatsApp can offer insights into couples’ relationships. Based on Gottman’s therapy model, which mathematically analyzes marital conflicts, this study focuses on couples’ WhatsApp correspondence and asks to what extent it reflects the offline relationships of Generation X. The research was conducted over a year using semi-structured interviews with 18 couples who have been in a relationship for at least 5 years. The couples described their discourse on WhatsApp and the dynamics of their relationship offline. The findings indicate that WhatsApp use mirrors offline relationships. The following four types of interaction were identified: (1) technical, (2) practical, (3) casual, and (4) emotional. In addition, the following three patterns of conflictual behavior that correspond with Gottman’s distinctions were identified: (1) logical, (2) emotional, and (3) avoidant. The article cites WhatsApp’s potential for behavioral observation and the possibility of using it to change relationship dynamics.

Investigating the Lived Experiences of Working Couples about Marital Conflicts: A Phenomenological Study

Aim: The purpose of this study was to extract the lived experiences of working couples from marital conflicts. Methods: This study was conducted with a qualitative approach using interpretive phenomenology. In this study, researchers interviewed 12 working couples with marital conflicts using purposeful sampling. Interviews were analyzed using interpretive phenomenology. Findings: Analyzing the data from the interviews led to the identification of the 14 main themes: financial conflict, inappropriate interactions in social media, lack of participation in house chores, ineffective communication, inability in reciprocal empathy and expression, lack of time management, conflict of roles and responsibilities, cognition vulnerability, adherence to gender stereotypes, inability to manage tasks at job and work environment, work-family conflict, power struggles, ultra-personal destructive factors and belief and ethical problems, 55 primary and 12 secondary themes in the lived experiences of working couples from marital conflicts. Conclusion: A dual-career family is a place where couples are more likely to enter into marital conflicts if they do not realize fairness in various areas of family and work. The results of the present study showed that the families of career couples may be a high-risk group in terms of conflict, and this factor indicates the need for a negotiating role in the relationship between this type of couple. This highlights the need for special couple therapy for these couples. The results of the present study also showed that ineffective communication, cognitive vulnerability, work-family interaction, financial conflict and lack of participation in home affairs, were the most common causes of marital conflict; so it is recommended that preventive and educational programs for couples include the abovementioned factors.

HUSBAND'S LEADERSHIP AND ITS RELATION TO FAMILY FUNCTIONALITY: A DISCUSSION

Family is the foundation in the building of a society. Not only to society, but a well-functioning family is also important for the stability and prosperity of a country. However, the increasing cases of divorce, never-ending marital conflicts, children's involvement in negative and immoral activities as well as various other problems within the family have been indicating the failure of a functioning family institution. In order to deal with the problems that arise within the family, the role of the family leader is very important because good things within a family will not just happen without the planning and preparation made by the leader. For that reason, this article will discuss on husband’s leadership from the Islamic perspective and its relation to family functionality. Therefore, a literature review involving the books of fiqh, tafsir, hadith, and previous studies related to the topic was conducted to yield a comprehensive discussion. The results of the study found that leadership within a family is a duty that has to be carried out by the husband to the best of his abilities. The dysfunction of the husband in being the leader for his family may result in the dysfunction of the family, due to which a marriage could be dissolved. The implications of this study will provide an early understanding that a well-functioning family is highly dependent on the husband’s leadership. Thus, efforts to strengthen the family institution should start from the grassroots of leadership by focusing on the role of the husband.

Middle-aged Lebanese women’s interpretation of sexual difficulties: a qualitative inquiry

Background The study explores women’s perception and experience of sexual difficulties. The need to address the subject was triggered by the scarcity of research that reflects on women’s subjective views on sexual difficulties. This is particularly crucial for middle-aged women who frequently experience hormonal and psychosocial changes that may affect their sexual life. Methods Using in-depth individual and focus groups interviews, 52 Lebanese women aged 40–55 years discussed their thoughts, feelings and behaviours concerning sexual difficulties. Women were recruited purposefully from clinical and non-clinical settings to get maximum sampling variation that provided rich information and deep understanding of the subject. Recordings were transcribed verbatim and analysed about the framework analysis. Many strategies were adopted to ensure rigour. Results Women’s narratives led to four themes: women’s inability to communicate sexual desires and concerns; male sexual difficulties; marital conflicts; and sexual difficulties as context-bound. Women’s sexual difficulties are driven by double standards and inhibiting sexual socialisation. Once married, many women had very challenging sexual experiences. They were obliged to silently bear their husbands’ poor sexual performance to protect their masculinity and thus their social image and identity. Women’s narratives also showed that marital conflicts, daily life problems as well as physical and psychological burdens further challenged their sexual wellbeing and contributed to their sexual difficulties. Conclusion The study makes a unique contribution to voicing women’s views and concerns as sexuality is insufficiently researched and reported in Lebanon. It emphasises the multidimensional nature of female sexual difficulties, particularly the gender-based norms that inhibit their sexual selves and profoundly affect their sexual wellbeing and capacity to claim their sexual likes and dislikes. Findings have implications on research and practice to help women prevent and overcome their sexual difficulties.

Lessons from the Quran for the Purpose of Managing Couples’ Roles and Relationships

Aim: The purpose of the present study was to discuss the implications of the lessons from the Quran in managing the roles and relationships in couples. Methods: Using the qualitative method and applying content analysis, all verses related to couples from Quran were explored. Results: According to the results of the study, the main identified themes for the stage of marriage included romantic relationships, couples’ roles, boundaries, distribution of family management, financial relationships, sexual relationships, and conflict resolution in couples’ relationships. Conclusion: Based on the lessons from the Quran, the religious attitude can be considered a powerful tool in order to decrease marital conflicts and eventually in increasing marital satisfaction.