The Role of Emotional Disclosure and Vulnerability in the Reconstruction of Marital Intimacy: A Qualitative Perspective
Keywords:
Emotional disclosure, Vulnerability, Marital intimacy, Qualitative research, Emotion-Focused Couple Therapy, South AfricaAbstract
Objective: This study aimed to explore how emotional disclosure and vulnerability contribute to the reconstruction of marital intimacy among couples, focusing on the relational processes that foster closeness, resilience, and authentic connection.
Methods and Materials: A qualitative design was employed, using semi-structured, in-depth interviews with 21 married individuals from South Africa. Participants were selected purposively to ensure diverse representation of cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds. Interviews, lasting 60–90 minutes, explored themes of disclosure, vulnerability, and intimacy. Data collection continued until theoretical saturation was achieved. All interviews were transcribed verbatim and analyzed through thematic analysis using NVivo 19 software. The analytic process involved open coding, development of subthemes, and constant comparison across cases, ensuring credibility and trustworthiness through memo writing and peer debriefing.
Findings: Four major themes emerged: (1) emotional openness in marital relationships, characterized by trust-building, reciprocity, and coping through disclosure; (2) vulnerability as a pathway to intimacy, where acceptance of weakness and risk-taking enabled deeper connection; (3) barriers to disclosure, including fear of conflict, cultural norms, past negative experiences, and power imbalances; and (4) reconstruction of intimacy, facilitated through healing dialogue, rituals of closeness, emotional support, and growth through adversity.
Conclusion: The study demonstrates that emotional disclosure and vulnerability are central to rebuilding intimacy in marital relationships. By creating safe spaces for openness and re-framing vulnerability as strength, couples can repair relational ruptures and cultivate long-term closeness. These insights provide valuable guidance for therapists and practitioners working with couples seeking to restore intimacy.
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