Empirische Paarforschung mit Älteren und deren Umsetzung in der Paarberatung und Paartherapie

Riehl-Emde, Astrid

doi:10.21706/pdp-20-3-260

Cited by 1 publication

(2 citation statements)

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“…The topics of the interviewees largely coincide with the topics listed in the literature as counseling themes of older couples in couples therapy ( Riehl-Emde, 2014 , p.15). The interviewees described interactional dysfunctional patterns within the couple relationship that had developed, for example, as a consequence of the changed situation following the termination of employment or due to an illness: “… and, that was clear to us relatively quickly that this is already a big point with us that is simply not okay.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 95%

“…In connection with this, a subjectively negative relationship quality increasingly developed in the run-up of the couple counseling. The topics at the beginning of counseling that were mentioned in the interviews largely correspond to the pre-concepts that can be found in the literature of the problem areas that people above 55 have: Experiences of loss, illnesses, insults and excessive demands as well as transitional situations such as retirement or the so-called “empty-nest situation” ( Freund et al, 2014 ; Riehl-Emde, 2014 , 2015 ). Massive health impairments due to physical and mental illnesses and symptoms were the most frequently mentioned category at the beginning of the couple counseling process.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Long-term couple relationships - stress, problems and coping processes in couple counseling: Insights based on five case studies with five long-term couples

Kieslich

Steins²

2022

Front. Psychol.

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In the course of demographic change, the proportion of older people in many countries is rising continuously and more and more people are experiencing a long time together as a couple. In old age, subjective wellbeing and health aspects are associated with partners’ satisfaction with couple relationship. The need for couple counseling in old age is growing in parallel with demographic developments. However, empirical studies on couple therapy with older people in long-term couple relationships exist to date only to a limited extent. The present contribution deals with this knowledge gap. In an explanative two phases design, research has been conducted with long-term couples in couple counseling of which we would like to present here the central qualitative study. The aim is to be able to describe details of these factors. Older couples who have lived in long-term couple relationships were interviewed after using standardized questionnaires concerning the individual and couple-related stress factors and problems at the beginning (N = 62) and the end (N = 36) of their couple counseling process. Five couples from this study were the interviewees for the following study. The couples were interviewed separately. In this interview study and central part of this contribution, the stress factors, problem areas and coping processes of the older couples were examined. The results serve as a suggestion for further research and can only be interpreted with caution due to the small sample of five case studies: The central results of the study are summarized in a circular process model and are discussed in the light of relevant theoretical approaches. The culmination of massive chronic and acute strains and losses associated with feelings of excessive demands and desperation gave rise to emotional alienation of the partners. In the course of couple therapy, the partners mutually opened their thoughts and emotions and modified their previous dysfunctional pattern of interaction. Thus, emotional and physical rapprochement of the partners was fostered with the effect that subjective load of the partners and dissatisfaction of the couple relationship decreased, and subjective emotional wellbeing increased. To prevent negative emotions and destructive conflicts with their spouse, some of the interviewed partners actively used avoidance strategies in couple interactions. Upon completion of couple therapy changes in the couple relationships appeared instable as soon as overcharging stress factors occurred again. The results suggest that an approach to couple therapy for older people in long-term couple relationships should prioritize emotional safeness and attachment in couple relationship to facilitate constructive conflict management. The couple therapy process should emphasize emotion regulation strategies based on age-related strengths and consider age-related vulnerabilities. Moreover, long-term couples may benefit from catamnestic consultation appointments to consolidate the developed changes.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 95%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%