International Journal of Behavioral Sciences

International Journal of Behavioral Sciences

The Study of the Lived Experience of Tolerance for Differences in Satisfied Marriages: A Phenomenological Study

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Reza Khojasteh Mehr 1
Kolsoum Kariminejad 1
Gholamreza Rajabi 1
Dorothy O'Neill 2
1 Counseling Department, Faculty of Educational Sciences and Psychology, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran
2 Department of Psychology, Adjunct Professor in California State University, Northridge, USA.
10.30491/ijbs.2022.324752.1742
Abstract
Introduction: As people enter a marital relationship, differences inevitably emerge. Tolerance for differences is a phenomenon that many people may experience when they get married. The current study aimed to investigate the lived experience of tolerance for differences in satisfied marriages.
Method: The present study was a descriptive phenomenology psychological research. The sample consisted of 11 married people who had experienced tolerance for differences and were selected in a purposeful and snowball manner in 2019-2020. A semi-structured interview was used to collect data. Data gathering continued until the data saturation stage.
Results: According to the results of this study, the experience of tolerance has six constituents, which are: love and respect for spouse and family, consulting in life, division of duties and roles, understanding of differences, patience and forgiveness and support of couples' families.
Conclusion: The results of the study indicated that differences and disagreements between couples do not necessarily lead to conflict, but rather, these differences are experienced as an acceptance through tolerance.
Keywords
Tolerance
Difference
Satisfaction
Phenomenology
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International Journal of Behavioral Sciences
Volume 16, Issue 1
Spring 2022
Pages 55-60