Out of Sight Out of Mind?: The Nature of Long Distance Marriages

Öz

This study aims to explore the dynamics and characteristics of long-distance marriages thoroughly. This study which was conducted with a qualitative research method included 15 married individuals 10 women, 5 men who have been in long-distance marriages for almost four years M=50.60, SD=27.36 months . The data of the study were collected through semi-structured interview forms and analyzed by content analysis. Results of the content analysis yielded two main categories which were named as transition to long-distance marriage and process of long-distance marriage. Nine themes emerged under these two categories: preparation of transition to long-distance marriage, roles and responsibilities, conflict management strategies, family routines and rituals, advantages of long-distance marriage, disadvantages of long-distance marriage, facilitating factors of long-distance marriage, altruistic behaviors in long-distance marriage, and perspective to transition to close distance marriage. Findings of the study indicated that using effective communication strategies and technology, constructive conflict management strategies, positive personality traits, and relational resources support the maintenance of emotional intimacy despite the distance between the partners.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Long-distance marriage, transition to long-distance marriage, relationship maintenance behaviors, couple and family counseling

Gözden Uzak Olan Gönülden de Uzak mı Olur? Uzak Mesafe Evlilik İlişkilerinin Doğası

Öz

Bu çalışma, uzak mesafe evlilik ilişki dinamiklerini ve özelliklerini derinlemesine incelemeyi amaçlamaktadır. Nitel desenle yapılandırılan bu çalışmaya, evliliklerini yaklaşık dört yıldır uzak mesafeli olarak sürdüren 15 evli birey 10 kadın, 5 erkek katılmıştır. Araştırmada veriler yarı yapılandırılmış görüşme formu aracılığıyla toplanmış olup, elde edilen verilerin değerlendirilmesinde içerik analizi tekniğinden yararlanılmıştır. İçerik analizi sonrasında uzak mesafe evliliğe geçiş ve uzak mesafe evlilik süreci kategorileri ve bu kategoriler içinde geçişe hazırlık, rol ve sorumluluklar, çatışmayla baş etme stratejileri, aile rutin ve ritüelleri, uzak mesafe evliliğin avantajları, uzak mesafe evliliğin dezavantajları, uzak mesafe evliliği kolaylaştırıcı etmenler, uzak mesafe evlilikteki fedakârlık davranışları ve yakın mesafe evliliğe bakış açısı temaları belirlenmiştir. Araştırmanın sonuçları, uzak mesafeye rağmen etkili iletişim, teknoloji kullanımı, yapıcı çatışma çözme stratejileri, olumlu kişilik özellikleri ve ilişkisel kaynaklar gibi faktörlerin, eşler arasındaki duygusal yakınlığı sürdürmeyi desteklediğini ortaya koymuştur.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Uzak mesafe evlilik, uzak mesafe evliliğe geçiş, ilişki sürdürme davranışları, çift ve aile danışmanlığı

Kaynakça

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