Conducting Joint Interviews With Couples: Ethical and Methodological Challenges

Zarhin, Dana

doi:10.1177/1049732317749196

Cited by 52 publications

(53 citation statements)

References 40 publications

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“…Fourteen sleep partners were recruited in this way. However, because interviewing couples either separately or jointly entails ethical and methodological challenges (Zarhin, 2016b, 2018c), I collected supplementary data in 2017 by interviewing and analyzing the accounts of six sleep partners of patients who were not included in the sample. These sleep partners were recruited at the same sleep center.…”

Section: Methods and Datamentioning

confidence: 99%

“You have to do something”: Snoring, sleep interembodiment and the emergence of agency

Zarhin

2020

British Journal of Sociology

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Although the sociology of sleep is a growing subfield, little is known about agency in the context of sleep. This article contributes to the sociological literature by showing how different types of agency emerge as a result of sleep interembodiment (i.e., experiencing sleep partners’ bodies as intertwined). The study draws on qualitative data generated through in‐depth interviews with 70 snorers and 20 sleep partners of snorers. Interviews were conducted in Israel and were analysed following constructivist grounded theory principles. Results indicate that two types of agency coexist and, in fact, co‐constitute one another: The first type, herein termed material agency, reflects the post‐humanist tradition, which conceptualizes agents as entities (whether human or nonhuman) that alter a state of affairs by making a difference in another agent's action. This type of agency exists in both wakefulness and throughout periods of sleep, as the snorer’s body acts and interacts with a partner's body in ways that engender significant change in their lives, relationships, and actions. In contrast, the second type, herein termed reflexive agency, reflects the humanist tradition, which regards agency as individuals' creative and assertive capacities motivated by intentionality and reflexivity. This type of agency declines significantly during stages of deep sleep but re‐emerges in response to partners' actions. The article adds to the literature by refining the concept of agency and elucidating its relationship to both accountability and interembodiment. In addition, the article provides much‐needed empirical evidence showing how “personal responsibility” for health, as required by neoliberal discourses, is invoked within families, specifically with regard to sleep. This study therefore shows how certain macro‐level structures of neoliberalism are enacted and reinforced within micro‐level interactions.

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Section: Methods and Datamentioning

confidence: 99%

“You have to do something”: Snoring, sleep interembodiment and the emergence of agency

Zarhin

2020

British Journal of Sociology

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“…The joint interviewformat (which applied to themajority of interviews) will influence the expression of personal viewpoints due to the pressures imposed by the copresence of interviewees (Taylor & de Vocht, 2011). Moreover, it has been highlighted that joint interviews can prevent the researcher from giving an equal voice to both partners (Zarhin, 2018). These challenges can have particular salience where a carer/cared-for dynamic shapes the relationship of the interviewees.…”

Section: Limitationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Is living well with dementia a credible aspiration for spousal carers?

Tolhurst

Carey

Weicht

et al. 2018

Health Sociology Review

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In England there has been substantial policy development and an academic drive to promote the goal of 'living well' for people with dementia and their family members. This article critically evaluates the feasibility of this intention, with reference to the experience of those caring for people with the condition. Qualitative data are utilised from a study which explored how couples negotiate relationships and care. The focus of this paper is the perspectives of spousal carers and the challenges they encounter within their caring role. Views were obtained via semi-structured joint interviews where the carer participated alongside the person with dementia. The extent to which living well with dementia is a credible aspiration for carers is examined via three themes: identity subsumed under care responsibilities; the couple as an isolated family unit; and barriers to professional support. The findings highlight that experience of caring is highly complex and fraught with multiple practical, emotional and moral pressures. It is asserted that research into dementia and care relationships must avoid a zero sum situation, prompted by living well discourses, where attempts to bolster the position of people with dementia compound the marginalisation and stigmatisation of informal carers.

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“…However, joint interviewing has also several advantages as partners can comfort each other if one partner recounts painful experiences. Additionally, dyadic interviewing can provide insights into the shared experiences and meanings of the couple, which is less likely to achieve in individual interviews as reproductive decision-making is a shared experience [22].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Motives and considerations regarding PGT in couples carrying a structural chromosomal abnormality: a qualitative exploration

Krom

Severijns

Vlieg

et al. 2020

J Assist Reprod Genet

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Purpose This study aims to describe the motives and considerations of couples carrying a structural chromosomal abnormality deciding on preimplantation genetic testing (PGT). Methods A qualitative exploratory study was conducted using semi-structured dyadic interviews with 13 couples (N = 26) carrying a structural chromosomal abnormality. All couples had an informative consultation in our PGT centre in the Netherlands. Results Almost all couples considered PGT or natural conception combined with prenatal diagnosis (PND) as the only two reproductive options. Among several considerations mentioned, the majority indicated that the wish to increase the chance of a successful pregnancy was the most important motive to opt for PGT. All couples who opted for PGT had first tried to conceive spontaneously and entered the PGT programme because of their adverse experiences during these attempts (infertility, recurrent miscarriage, termination of pregnancy, birth of an affected child). Couples that refrained from PGT were of advanced maternal age and expressed the long trajectory of PGT as the main reason to refrain. If conceiving spontaneously would not lead to an ongoing pregnancy, these couples also indicated that they would use PGT. Conclusion This study shows that couples carrying a structural chromosomal abnormality consider PGT and spontaneous conception with PND as relevant reproductive options. They are looking for the option that is in their opinion the fastest way to establish a successful pregnancy. Information on the perceived pros and cons of PGT or spontaneous conception in these couples can help to optimize counselling and psychological support during the decision-making process.

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Conducting Joint Interviews With Couples: Ethical and Methodological Challenges

Cited by 52 publications

References 40 publications

“You have to do something”: Snoring, sleep interembodiment and the emergence of agency

“You have to do something”: Snoring, sleep interembodiment and the emergence of agency

Is living well with dementia a credible aspiration for spousal carers?

Motives and considerations regarding PGT in couples carrying a structural chromosomal abnormality: a qualitative exploration

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