Examining the Model of Warm Relationships between Spouses

The importance of the relationship quality between spouses and its impact on the mental health of individuals and the society is a topic of long interest. Since the interaction of spouses takes place within the family and today the family faces serious threats which can lead to its dysfunction، research work on characteristics of relationships which do not end up in quarrel and conflicts is therefore a necessity. The present study pursued this aim and investigated characteristics of warm relationships between spouses. The study followed a qualitative design. The information from 50 interviews with spouses were gathered، a number of them selected through ‘conceptual’ sampling، and the information classified into different concepts and categories. The findings revealed that warm relationships of different spouses shared common characteristics، including: love and caring، power in service of the relationship and not the individual، mutual care and respect، partnership and collaboration، and companionship and intellectual support. Outcomes of such a relationship were a sense of commitment، the couple’s mutual trust، and overall satisfaction with the relationship. In case of middle-aged spouses، although excitement had decreased between them، their wisdom and patience had increased and their love for each other was alive.