The Study of Interactional Empathy Components of Couples in Interpersonal Relationships Using Thematic Analysis Method

Seyed Mohammad Sadegh Sohrvardi ¹ (PhD student in cultural management, Isfahan branch (Khorasgan), Islamic Azad University, Isfahan (Khorasgan), Iran.) mojtaba shahnoushi ² (. Associate Professor, Department of Cultural Management, Isfahan Branch (Khorasgan), Islamic Azad University, Isfahan (Khorasgan), Iran)
reza esmaili ³ (. Assistant Professor, Department of Cultural Management, Isfahan Branch (Khorasgan), Islamic Azad University, Isfahan (Khorasgan), Iran)

Submited date : 2023-02-22 accepted date : 2023-07-11

Keywords: interpersonal relationships of couples, empathy, Thematic analysis,

Abstract :

This Study sought to identify the themes and components of interactional empathy in the interpersonal relationships of Iranian couples. Empathy between couples is important in the sense that its lack can have many negative consequences both at the micro level (relationships between couples), at the institutional level (family), and at the macro level (society). This research was based on a qualitative approach and a thematic analysis method. The research participants were 15 members of the faculty of communication and counselling working in public and Azad University, as well as media experts and family counsellors with more than ten years of work experience, which were selected by purposive sampling. The data analysis approach was the Theme network presented by Attride-Stirling (2001). Data analysis was done based on three-stage thematic coding. The findings show that interactional empathy (as a global theme) has five organizing themes "empathetic self-interaction", "empathic other-interaction", "targeted identification", "communicative framework", and "conscious acceptance". These themes, in articulated interaction with each other, form the network of interactionist empathy themes of couples in the interpersonal relationships of couples. The research results generally show that interactive empathy can strengthen couples' interpersonal relationships.