A phenomenological study: Examining marital intimacy from the perspective of dual-income couples
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.63053/ijhes.154Keywords:
phenomenology, dual-income couples, marital intimacyAbstract
The aim of the present research was to examine marital intimacy from the perspective of dual-income couples. The study was conducted using a qualitative descriptive phenomenological method. The participants included 7 couples, all aged between 35 and 46 years, who were selected through purposive and convenient sampling. Data were collected using semi-structured interviews and analyzed using the Colaizzi's seven-step method. The findings of the research included 6 categories as follows: effective communication, mutual thinking and participation of spouses, pleasurable marital relationship, indicators of mutual love, trust-building factors, and spouses' expectations and demands from each other. The role of intimacy in the marital life of couples is of great importance, and their perspective on this component of marital quality will influence their lifestyle and behaviors; as marital intimacy significantly affects the quality of the relationship between spouses, and increasing marital satisfaction leads to the stability and strength of this relationship, thereby largely preventing divorce.
References
- Aghaei, Mahdi; Tajik Ismaili, Azizollah; Kasaei Isfahani, Abdolrahim; and Asgariyan, Somayeh (2019). Comparison of coping strategies and differentiation of dual-income and single-income couples. Family Psychology, 6(2), 57-70.
- Omidifar, Hananeh; Pour Ebrahim, Taghi; Khoshkonash, Abolghasem; and Moradi, Ayoub (2016). Comparison and relationship of emotional self-regulation with marital boredom and intimacy in dual-income and single-income couples in government offices. Journal of Occupational and Organizational Counseling, 8(26), 50-67.
- Irandoost, Razieh; Sohrabi, Faramarz; Malih Al-Zakerini, Saeed; and Ahi, Qasem (2018). Causal model of the relationship between emotional disclosure and sexual performance of women with the mediating role of psychological distress and marital intimacy. Journal of Family Research, 14(56), 515-531.
- Bakhtiari, Ansieh; Hosseini, Saeedah Al-Sadat; Arefi, Mokhtar; and Afshari Nia, Karim (2021). The mediating role of marital intimacy in the relationship between attachment styles and attitudes towards marital infidelity. Scientific Journal of Counseling Research, 20(77), 122-140.
- Behbahani, Maryam; and Ghorbanshiroudi, Shahra (2020). Effectiveness of group therapy based on acceptance and commitment on marital intimacy and sexual satisfaction of pre-menopausal women. Scientific-Research Journal of Applied Psychology, 14(56), 369-389.
- Panahpoury, Nora; and Johari, Shakib (2024). The mediating role of marital self-disclosure in the relationship between intimacy and sexual performance and inclination towards divorce in couples on the verge of divorce: a descriptive study. Journal of Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, 23(4), 337-351.
- Pour Yahya, Seyed Mostafa; Shirkoond, Farideh; Salimi, Arman; Davarniya, Reza; and Shakermi, Mohammad (2019). The impact of forgiveness-based group intervention on marital intimacy of women affected by their spouse's infidelity. Scientific-Research Journal of Knowledge Horizon, 25(2), 102-109.
- Triouh, Behzad; Karimi, Kiumars; Akbari, Maryam; and Moradi, Omid (2020). Structural model of marital commitment based on marital communication beliefs, emotional involvement, and criticism in the family: the mediating role of marital intimacy. Scientific Journal of Applied Psychology, 14(53), 158-139.
- Timan, Maryam; Safarzadeh, Sahar; and Fathi, Keyhan (2024). Testing the model of marital intimacy based on the communication pattern of couples and the health of the primary family with the mediating role of self-differentiation. Journal of Nursing Psychology, 12(6), 1-15.
- Sanagouizadeh, Mohammad (2021). A structured self-care model in marital intimacy based on Islamic perspectives. Biannual Scientific Journal of Cultural Psychology, 5(1), 166-194.
- Jabari, Reyhaneh; Zahra Kar, Kianoush; and Sadri Damirchi, Ismail (2022). Presenting a model of marital adjustment based on power structure in the family with the mediating role of marital justice in working couples in the armed forces. Scientific Journal of Military Psychology, 13(52), 11-31.
- Khani, Saeed; Daneshmehr, Hossein; and Behzadi Nia, Asrin (2023). The relationship between work-family conflict and attitudes towards marriage and childbearing: a study among working women in Sanandaj. Letter of the Iranian Demographic Association, 18(35), 191-233.
- Khabbazi, Maliheh; Kimiaei, Seyed Ali; Karshaki, Hossein; and Mashhadi, Ali (2022). Evaluation of the structural equation model of factors affecting marital intimacy of couples during engagement. Research in Cognitive and Behavioral Sciences, 12(22), 89-110.
- Dargahi, Shahryar; Sadri Damirchi, Ismail; Ghamari Kiwi, Hossein; Rezaei Sharif, Ali; and Nazari, Ali Mohammad (2020). Explanation of sexual dissatisfaction in working couples: a phenomenological study. Journal of Health and Care, 22(4), 358-372.
- Rahimi, Rouhollah; Salimi Bajestani, Hossein; Farahbakhsh, Kiumars; and Asgari, Mohammad (2020). A phenomenological study: narratives of working couples regarding children in family performance. Social Work Quarterly, 9(2), 34-47.
- Reihani, Reza; Soudani, Mansour; Farhadi Rad, Hamid; and Khajasteh Mehr, Reza (2022). Identifying components of marital intimacy in stable marriages: based on grounded theory. Journal of New Psychological Research, 17(65), 117-128.
- Samavatian, Hossein; Mousavi, Seyed Mohammad; and Noori, Abolghasem (2019). The effectiveness of quality of work life training and enriching marital life on increasing work life quality and job satisfaction among working couples. Biannual Journal of Applied Counseling, 9(2), 115-132.
- Fist, Jess; and Fist, Gregory G. (2002). Theories of personality. Translated by Seyed Mohammadi, Yahya (2009). Tehran: Ravan Publishing, 4th edition.
- Ghasemi Joobneh, Reza; Mousavi, Seyed Valiollah; and Hosseini Sadiq, Maryam Al-Sadat (2019). The mediating role of cognitive impairment in the relationship between mindfulness and marital intimacy in the elderly. Journal of Aging Psychology, 5(3), 251-261.
- Gharam, Kazem (2019). Presenting a model of life satisfaction in dual-income couples based on job satisfaction and career mission. Journal of Occupational and Organizational Counseling, 11(39), 157-170.
- Mohammadi, Mohammad; Zahra Kar, Kianoush; Jahangiri, Jahangir; Davarniya, Reza; Shakermi, Mohammad; and Morshedi, Mehdi (2017). Evaluating the effectiveness of educational intervention based on the Gottman model on marital intimacy of women. Journal of Health and Hygiene, 8(1), 74-84.
- Moradi, Zahra; and Keshavarz Afshar, Hossein (2021). Quality of life, marital satisfaction, and marital intimacy among police force employees (qualitative research). Military Psychology, 12(47), 27-44.
- Mostafaee, Nafiseh; Khodadadi, Javad; Dargahi, Shahryar; and Azimi, Daryoush (2021). Predicting the quality of the relationship with the spouse's family based on marital intimacy and the health of the primary family. Knowledge and Research in Applied Psychology, 22(84), 148-157.
- Moghim, Sanbal; Moradi, Omid; Seyed Al-Shahadaei, Asrin; and Ahmadian, Hamzeh (2020). Developing a structural model of marital commitment based on forgiveness and self-differentiation with the mediating role of marital intimacy. Family Counseling and Psychotherapy, 10(29), 69-90.
- Namvaran Garami, Kobra; Moradi, Alireza; Farzad, and...
- Namvaran Garmi, Kobra; Moradi, Alireza; Farzad, Valiollah; and Zahra Kar, Kianoush (2018). Determining the dimensions of marital intimacy among Iranian couples: a qualitative study. Cultural-Educational Journal of Women and Family, 12(42), 61-78.
- Nazari, Farahnaz; Etemadi, Azra; and Abedi, Ahmad (2019). Enriching couples' relationships using the Olson method on marital intimacy. Journal of Behavioral Science Research, 17(3), 448-456.
- Akram, F; Abrar ul Haq, M; & Victor, S. (2018). Work – life Balance among dual working couples in Pakistan. International Journal of Innovative Knowledge Concepts, 6(11), 130-135.
- Avanti, F.T; & Setiawan, J.L. (2022). THE ROLE OF TRUST AND FORGIVENESS IN MARITAL INTIMACY ON HUSBANDS OR WIVES OF DUAL-EARNER COUPLES IN SURABAYA. Jurnal IImu Keluarga dan Konsumen, 15(2), 117-126.
- Canavarro, M.C; Silva, S; & Moreira, H. (2015). Is the link between posttraumatic growth and anxious symptoms mediated by marital intimacy in breast cancer patients? European Journal of Oncology Nursing, 19(6), 673-679.
- Dessyrianti, R.F; & Setiawan, J.L. (2023). Trust and communication as predictors of marital intimacy among individuals in dual-earner marriages. Humanitas: Indonesian Psychological Journal, 20(1), 1-10.
- Kamali, Z; Allahyar, N; Ostovar, S; Shafeq bin, M; Alhabshi, M; & Griffiths, M.D. (2020). Factors that influence marital intimacy: A qualitative analysis of iranian married couples. Cogent Psychology, 7(1), 1-17.
- Khojasteh Mehr, R; Kavand, M; & Soudani, M. (2017). The Interaction between Sacrificing Behaviors and Equity Perception: How Does It Contribute to Marital Intimacy? International Journal of Psychology, 11(2), 175-195.
- Naddaf, S; & Heidari, A. (2017). The Relationship Between Marital Intimacy and Quality of Life. Indian Journal of Public Health Research & Development, 8(4), 63-67.
- Vashisht, S; Punj, N; & Vashisht, R. (2022). A qualitative analysis of experiences of work – life integration of dual career couples. International Journal of Business and Globalisation, 31(2), 216-228.
- Zakhirehdari, N; Navabinejad, S; & Koraei, A. (2019). The effectivenes of cognitive – behavioral couple therapy on improving marriage performance and marital intimacy of couples. Medical Science, 23(97), 290-293.
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Authors
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
The journal is licensed under a Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0).
You are free to:
- Share — copy and redistribute the material in any medium or format for any purpose, even commercially.
- Adapt — remix, transform, and build upon the material for any purpose, even commercially.
- The licensor cannot revoke these freedoms as long as you follow the license terms.
Under the following terms:
- Attribution - You must give appropriate credit , provide a link to the license, and indicate if changes were made . You may do so in any reasonable manner, but not in any way that suggests the licensor endorses you or your use.
- No additional restrictions - You may not apply legal terms or technological measures that legally restrict others from doing anything the license permits.
