Development of a Model for Effective Marital Communication with an Approach Based on Grounded Theory

One of the most important foundations of a successful marriage is the ability of couples to communicate effectively. Accordingly, the purpose of this study was to identify the model of effective marital communication. This study has been carried out using the qualitative research based on grounded theory. Fifteen men and women were selected through the voluntary sampling method and were studied using a semi-structured interview and on the basis of the criteria for entering the research until theoretical saturation level. Based on the results, the model for effective marital communication was determined. In this model, marital adjustment was selected as the core category. The causal conditions of the study were safe attachment style, differentiation, emotional maturity and intellectual and cognitive maturity. The teachings of the family of origin and religiosity were selected as the underlying conditions and social support was chosen as the intervening condition. The strategies couples used to communicate effectively with each other included encouragement and positive interaction. Finally, effective parenting and quality of marital life were introduced as the consequences of the model. As regards prevention and treatment, perceiving the indices of the effectiveness of marital communication can be useful in delivering the necessary information to teach couples how to communicate effectively and also in providing the couples having ineffective marital communication with appropriate interventions.