A Subjectivity of Marital Relationship

Kim, Boon Han; Lee, Hee Young; Jung, Young Mi; Lee, Eun Young; Kim, Heung Kyu

Abstract

This study was undertaken to find out the perception of marital relationship and to understand the typology. The Q-population consisted of 153 statements that were collected and 33 Q-samples were selected. The P-samples for this study were made up of 30 who were married. Each responded to a Q-set of marital relationship according to 9-point scale. The results of Q-sorting were coded and analysed using QUANL PC program. Typological observations were as follows. 1) One in body and spirit type : In type 1, couples had different backgrounds respectively but felt one in body and spirit. 2) Companionship type : 2. Couples had not so much a hierarchial as a horizontal relationship. Couples perceived themselves as interdependent and friends. 3) Adaptation type : Couples readily adapted themselves to a marital relationship. They only depended on their spouses at times and stressed the relationship. Marriage was accepted as destiny rather than choice. On the basis of these results, we suggest: When a marriage is in trouble, that we assess the type of marital relationship in advance and intervene with a proper program. In addition, practical intervention programs need to be developed tailored to the type of subjective perception about the marital relation.