Why We Chose to Stay Together: Qualitative Interviews with Separated Couples Who Chose to Reconcile

Keywords

divorce, marital separation, marital reconciliation, qualitative research

Abstract

The objective was to explore factors in the decision to reconcile after filing for divorce. Participants were asked to discuss how the resources available to them and the meanings they associated with experiencing marital difficulty influenced their decisions to stay married. A qualitative model was used. Seven couples (N = 14) who filed a petition for divorce in a Southern state between 2000 and 2010, but reconciled their marriages before the divorce proceedings were finalized, participated in a semistructured, open-ended interview. Using grounded theory techniques, the 5 major themes that emerged the decision-making process for the couples included (a) pulling together during difficult times, (b) growth from separation and reconciliation, (c) multiple attempts and rough starts, (d) it’s worth the hard work, and (e) big moves and grand gestures.

Original Publication Citation

Plauche, H. P., Marks, L., & Hawkins, A. J. (2016). Why we chose to stay together: Qualitative interviews with separated couples who chose to reconcile. Journal of Divorce & Remarriage, 57(5). 317-337.

Document Type

Peer-Reviewed Article

Publication Date

2016-06-27

Permanent URL

http://hdl.lib.byu.edu/1877/7057

Publisher

Journal of Divorce & Remarriage

Language

English

College

Family, Home, and Social Sciences

Department

Family Life

University Standing at Time of Publication

Full Professor

Link to Full Text

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