Divided We Fall: Constructive Dialoguing About Our Political Differences

Authors: Laszloffy & Platt

Source: https://doi.org/10.1111/jmft.12845 (open access)

What Is Practically Relevant About This Study?

Political differences can play a significant role in couple relationships. This study provides insights into how therapists can support couples burdened by differing political views. The study is particularly helpful in that it suggests specific dialogue techniques to foster constructive conversations. For example, rules for dialogue can be established that allow the couple to communicate respectfully and openly with each other. The goal is to steer the dialogue toward shared values rather than focusing on differences. The study shows that it is crucial to find a balance between expression and listening while taking the partner’s perspective seriously. This is a valuable method for therapists to support couples in an increasingly polarized political climate.

Methodology of the Study

The researchers conducted a qualitative study in which they interviewed 20 couples struggling with political differences in their relationships. The couples were selected to represent a variety of political views and socio-cultural backgrounds. The interviews were transcribed and analyzed thematically. This method allowed the researchers to gain deep insights into the dynamics of couples experiencing political differences. The results were categorized and patterns that frequently occurred in the couples’ conversations were identified. In addition to the interviews, the couples were asked to keep a diary of their conversations to observe the effects of the applied techniques over a three-month period. The researchers compared changes in the relationships and drew conclusions about the effectiveness of the proposed interventions.

Limitations

A limitation of this study is that it focuses primarily on heterosexual couples and does not adequately address the impact of political differences in same-sex relationships. Additionally, the results were obtained in a specific cultural context, which may limit their generalizability to other groups.

Peer-Review

The study was published in a peer-reviewed journal.

Disclosure

This text was generated with the help of ChatGPT and was editorially reviewed. The study contents were not used as training material, which is considered compliant with current best practices regarding copyright.