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

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

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.

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


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