Exploring constructions of intimate relationships

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to explore how people construct their intimate relationships, and to describe the patterns of connection and disconnection and their meanings within the social and cultural contexts of these relationships. It attempts to describe how the participating couples' relationships may or may not have changed due to the research process consisting of reflections and joint story telling, and the interventions of the researcher. Social constructionism is the epistemological framework of this study and indepth unstructured interviews with a cohabiting and a married couple were conducted. Hermeneutics was the method used to analyse the data. The participants' stories were recounted through the researcher's lens in the form of themes characterising their relationships. A comparative analysis was undertaken between the common themes identified in the two participating couples and literature. The information gained could assist couples and professionals in respecting heterosexual intimate relationships in their specific contexts.