Every Day Gets a Little Closer-a Study on the Affectional Intimacy Experiences of the Midddle-aged Couple

• Main Authors: Hsu Yi-Mei, 徐憶梅
• Other Authors: Hsu Shao-Ling
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2010
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/93575340488700037338

碩士 === 國立交通大學 === 教育研究所 === 98 === The purpose of this study was to explore how middle-aged couples perceive the change of the affectional intimacy in their relationship after going through various life stages in long-term marriage life experience. Using the very own marriage life experience as a starting point, the researcher invited couples as research participants for relationship was developed in interactions. Hermeneutic phenomenology of qualitative paradigm was selected as the research methodology. 15 copies of text regarding affectional experience among couples were gathered from semi-structured in-depth interviews conducted in five Launching-center families. With an open, intersubjective, and respecting attitude and the support of researcher’s reflection journal, the data gathered were analyzed to explore the models beyond the experience to further interpret deeper meaning. After the conduction of thematic analysis and the intersubjective agreement from participants, the following four common themes were proposed to interpret the getting-closer affectional intimacy experience of middle-aged couples. 1. Marriage is not easy and the affectional intimacy comes from mutual support. 2. Walking toward middle age; switching the focus back to each other. 3. The taste of middle-aged affectional intimacy is like water, simple, plain, yet with a lasting sweet finish. 4. The key to successfully sail this voyage of life lies in the ability of the couple to bring out countless devotions for their spouse as time goes by. Lastly, “unchaining the shackle of life and feeling content with decreased desires”, “having the insight of life and knowing how to cherish as walking toward death”, and “committing to each other again as time goes by” were used to portray the middle-aged life situation and their unique affectional intimacy experience.