Document Type

Thesis - University Access Only

Award Date

2011

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department / School

Communication Studies and Theatre

Abstract

This study explores the nature of the communication between former premarital cohabiting couples. Eight research participants (n=8) were interviewed about their experiences with cohabitating, ending the relationship, and the communication after the relational termination. Using the inductive approach of grounded theory (Glaser & Strauss, 1967), four categories emerged. The first theme was that couples "slid" into cohabitation rather than made a deliberate decision. Secondly, the research participants experienced a breakdown in or lack of communication during the relationship and leading into the disengagement. Further, the participants reported a gradual relational termination process. Finally, former cohabitating couples who remain friends do so because they do not want to lose friendship they had during the romantic relationship, while other couples may not able to be friends if one or both of the partners needs space and time to be able to move forward. An unexpected theme that emerged was the existence or possibility of a new partner's negative impact on the friendship quality between the former partners. A discussion of limitations and suggestions for future research are also included.

Library of Congress Subject Headings

Unmarried couples

Separation (Psychology)

Interpersonal communication

Interpersonal relations

Format

application/pdf

Number of Pages

138

Publisher

South Dakota State University

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