Grounded Theory of Couples’ Affectional Bond
Journal of Family Relations Studies
مقاله 5 ، دوره 6، شماره 2 - شماره پیاپی 21 ، مرداد 2026، صفحه 36-48 1.12 M )
نوع مقاله: Original Article
شناسه دیجیتال (DOI): 10.22098/jfrs.2025.17175.1240 نویسنده
Kobra Namvaran*
چکیده Objective: Affectional bonds are a key factor in the quality and continuity of couples’ relationships. This study aims to develop a grounded theory to explain the dynamics of couples’ affectional bonds.Methods: This study employed the grounded theory approach, included 25 participants selected through purposive sampling with maximum variation until theoretical saturation was achieved. The participants shared the same national and religious background, but had different socio-economic backgrounds and varying marital relationship qualities. Semi-structured interviews were conducted, and data were analyzed using the constant comparative analysis method. The research’s credibility, transferability, dependability, and confirmability were ensured.Results: The study identified six main categories contributing to couples’ affectionate bonds, organized within a grounded theoretical model (AFRIAS model): Attractiveness as the background factor, Fondness as the core factor, Responsiveness, Intimacy, Adjustment as the processes, and Marital Success as the outcome.Conclusion: The study proposes the data-driven AFRIAS model to conceptualize and understand couples’ affectional bonds, particularly within Iranian society.کلیدواژهها
Adjustment ؛ Affectional Bond ؛ Attractiveness ؛ Fondness ؛ Intimacy
مراجع
Ainsworth, M.D.S. (1989). Attachments beyond infancy. American Psychologist , 44(4), 709-716. Doi:10.1037/0003-066X.44.4.709
Akbari, A., & Akbari, M. (2013). Factors of Family Disorder . Tehran: Roshd va Toseeh. (Persian)
Alderman, H., Gilligan, D. O., Hidrobo, M., Leight, J., Mulford, M., & Tambet, H. (2025). Men can cook: Effectiveness of a men’s engagement intervention to change attitudes and behaviors in rural Ethiopia. World Development , 185 , 106781. Doi:10.1016/j.worlddev.2024.106781
Ayadi, N., Zolghadri, P., Zarein, F. & Ranjbar, M. (2024). The Role of Insecurity in Attachment and Fear of Intimacy in Predicting the Desire for Remarriage in Divorced Women. Family Relations Studies , 4(15), 1-7. Doi:10.22098/jfrs.2024.13913.1150
Azerbaijani, M., Kaviani, M. & Salarifar, M. (2003). Social Psychology with an Attitude to Islamic Sources . Qom: Seminary and University Research Institute. https://rihu.ac.ir/en/book/37036
Bachand, L.L. & Caron, S.L. (2001). Ties that Bind: A Qualitative Study of Happy Long-Term Marriages. Contemporary Family Therapy, 23(1), 105–121. Doi:10.1023/A:1007828317271
Bagarozzi, D.A. (2013). Enhancing Intimacy in Marriage: A Clinician Guide. New York: Routledge. Doi:10.4324/9781315787053
Beaird, M. (2013). How to Nurture Your Emotional Connection . Alabama: Counseling and Consulting Center in Huntsville. https://www.covenantcc.co/sovlib/articles
Bowlby, J. S-A. (2005). The Making and Breaking of Affectional Bonds. New York: Routledge Classics. Doi:10.4324/9780203441008
Coffey, J., Shahvali, M., Kerstetter, D. & Aron, A. (2024). Couples’ vacations and romantic passion, and intimacy. Tourism Research Empirical Insights , 5, 100121. Doi:10.1016/j.annale.2024.100121
Conroy, A. A., McGrath, N., Van Rooyen, H., Hosegood, V., Johnson, M. O., Fritz, K., ... & Darbes, L. A. (2016). Power and the association with relationship quality in South African couples: Implications for HIV/AIDS interventions. Social science & medicine , 153 , 1-11. Doi:10.1016/j.socscimed.2016.01.035
Estrada, R.I. (2009). An Examination of Love and Marital Satisfaction in Long-term Marriages (Doctoral Dissertation). University of Denver. https://digitalcommons.du.edu/etd/185/
Freer, M., & Surana, K.H. (2025). Marital stability with committed couples: A revealed preference analysis. Games and Economic Behavior , 150, 131–159. Doi:10.1016/j.geb.2024.11.018
Gaur, P. & Bhardwaj, A.B. (2015). Relationship between Empathy, Forgiveness, and Marital Adjustment in Couples. Indian Psychology , 3(8), 145-151. Doi:10.25215/0301.142
Gottman, J. & Silver, N. (1999). The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work . New York: Crown. https://relationshipinstitute.com.au/uploads/resources
Gouin, J.P. & Dymarski, M. (2024). Couples-based health behavior change interventions: A relationship science perspective on the unique opportunities and challenges to improve dyadic health. Comprehensive Psycho-neuro-endocrinology , 19, 100250. Doi:10.1016/j.cpnec.2024.100250
Habibpour Getabi, K. & Nazoktabar, H. (2011). Reasons for divorce in Mazandaran Province. Women’s Strategic Studies, 14(53), 87-127. (Persian) Dor:20.1001.1.20082827.1390.14.53.4.0
Heffner, K. L., Kiecolt-Glaser, J. K., Loving, T. J., Glaser, R., & Malarkey, W. B. (2004). Spousal support satisfaction as a modifier of physiological responses to marital conflict in younger and older couples. Journal of Behavioral medicine , 27 , 233-254. Doi:10.1023/B:JOBM.0000028497.79129.ad
Johnson, S. (2020). Hold Me Tight, Seven Conversations for a Lifetime of Love . New York: Little, Brown and Company. https://www.amazon.com/Hold-Me-Tight-Conversations-Lifetime/dp/031611300X
Johnson, S. M., & Whiffen, V. E. (Eds.). (2003). Attachment processes in couple and family therapy . Guilford Press. https://www.google.com/books/
Karimi, Y., Almasi, S., Mohammadi, R., & Fazeli, H. (2017). A phenomenological inquiry of the divorce contexts among divorced individuals. Clinical Psychology Studies , 7 (25), 191-211. Doi:10.22054/jcps.2017.7138
Kumar Sethi, M. (2024). Marital adjustment and life satisfaction among young and old married couples. Science and Research Archive , 11(1), 23-30. Doi:10.30574/ijsra.2024.11.1.1100
Latifian, M., Arshi, M., Alipour, F., & Ghaedamini Harouni, G. (2016). Study on the Relationship of Domestic Violence with Emotional Divorce Among Married Females in Tehran. Social work , 5(2), 5-12. (Persian) http://socialworkmag.ir/article-1-183-fa.html
Lu, S., He, Y., Li, Q., Chen, Z., & Fang, X. (2024). Dyadic effects of attachment styles on marital satisfaction among Chinese couples: The mediating role of perceived partner responsiveness. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships , 41 (12), 3770-3790. Doi:10.1177/02654075241277227
Patrick, S. & Beckenbach, J. (2009). Male Perceptions of Intimacy: A Qualitative Study. Men’s Studies , 1(17), 47-56. Doi:10.3149/jms.1701.47
Petty, B.D. (2010). Developing the Art of Becoming a Couple: A Grounded Theory Study of the Positive Influence of Married and Loving It. Qualitative Report , 5(15), 1080-1101. Doi:10.3149/jms.1701.47
Rajabdoust, S.H., Yaghoobi Choobari, A., & Knani, M.A. (2025). Men and the Problem of Women’s Persuasion: Analyzing the Rotation of Men’s Exercise of Power in the Experience of Everyday Marital Life. Family Relations Studies , 5(1), 51-58. Doi:10.22098/jfrs.2024.14162.1158
Reyhani, R., Sodani, M., Farhadirad, H., & Khojastehmehr, R. (2022). Identifying the Components of Marital Intimacy in Stable Marriages: Based on the grounded theory. Journal of Modern Psychological Researches, 17(65), 117-128. (Persian) Dor:20.1001.1.27173852.1401.17.65.12.0
Safarinia, M. & Hassanzadeh, P. ) 2012( . Dictionary of Social Psychology Terms. Tehran: Arjomand. (Persian) https://www.arjmandpub.com/
Sanagoy, M., Johnbozorgi, M., & Mahdavian, A. (2024). Relationship between Marital Satisfaction and Communication Patterns of Couples. Studies in Islam and Psychology , 5(9), 57-77. https://islamicpsy.rihu.ac.ir/article_1069.html
Stamp, G. H. (2003). Theories of family relationships and a family relationships theoretical model. In The Routledge Handbook of Family Communication (pp. 25-54). Routledge. https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.4324/9781410609564-7/stamp
Sternberg, R.J. (1986). A triangular theory of love. Psychological Review , 93(2), 119-135. Doi:10.1037/0033-295X.93.2.119
Tashkeh, M., Lavasani, F. F., Farani, A. R., Tajrishi, K. Z., & Farahani, H. (2024). Examining the validity of an adaptive model of sustaining behaviors in long-distance relationships: Predicting intimacy and marital satisfaction. Acta Psychologica , 250 , 104489. Doi:10.1016/j.actpsy.2024.104489
Vaezi, M., Khanbani, M., Tavakoli, M., & Khami, M. (2008). The Effect of Lovemaking on Marital Satisfaction. Journal of Family and Research , 2 (4). 133–150. (Persian) https://ensani.ir/file/download/article/20120325123051
Van Epp, M. C. (2013). A qualitative examination of the relationship attachment model (RAM) with married individuals (Doctoral dissertation, University of Akron). http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=akron1365099833
Willoughby, B.J., Hall, S.S., & Luczak, H.P. (2015). Marital Paradigms: A Conceptual Framework for Marital Attitudes, Values, and Beliefs. Family Issues , 36(2), 188– 211. Doi:10.1177/0192513X13487677
Wood, A., Downer, K., Lees, B., & Toberman, A. (2012). Household financial decision making: Qualitative research with couples. Department for Work and Pensions Research Report , 805 . https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/
Yazdani, A., Haghighian, M., & Keshavarz, H. (2013). An analysis of the quality of life of women experiencing emotional divorce, case study: Shahrekord. Social and Cultural Strategy , 2(6), 159-185. (Persian) Dor:20.1001.1.22517081.1392.2.1.6.0
آمار
تعداد مشاهده مقاله: 389
تعداد دریافت فایل اصل مقاله: 158
