Exploring the process and the effects of communication of feelings among the Worldwide Marriage Encounter couples

• Main Author: Laka, Yohanes Senda
• Format: text
• Language: English
• Published: Animo Repository 2006
• Subjects: Communication in marriage; Married people—Psychology; Counseling Psychology; Family, Life Course, and Society; Interpersonal and Small Group Communication
• Online Access: https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/etd_masteral/6680; https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/context/etd_masteral/article/12817/viewcontent/CDTG004327_P.pdf
• Institution: De La Salle University

This study is aimed to find out the process and effects of communicating feelings of WME couples (n = 21 couples: 21 husbands and 21 wives) employing qualitative approach which a structure interview and a supplementary self-report instrument were used to gather data for this study in two phases. Phase I utilized a self reported questionnaire to study the different intimacy level of WME couples. Semi structured/ in- depth interview was applied in phase II, to search and identify various feelings being communicated among husbands and wives, the manner they communicate those feelings to each other, the perceived understanding on the effects of communication for their relationship and the benefits they believed to have taken from joining Worldwide Marriage Encounter. The results of the self-reported questionnaire (PAIR) exhibited that the expected and perceived intimacy level of WME couples is high while the interview revealed that positive and negative feelings being communicated between husbands and wives are common such that they are more or less the same and were communicated through verbal and non-verbal languages. The data gathered showed that certain feelings are considered to be difficult to communicate such as insecurities, jealousy, frustrations, etc. Further, it was noted that fear is the highlighted reason for having those difficult feelings to share-with. Majority of the couples mentioned that communicating feelings regularly bring about self-discovery as well as spouse discovery. Other learning and advantages stated are acquiring quality communication for couples, constructive expression of self, conflict management skills, intimacy/closeness and healthy home environment. Before joining the Worldwide Marriage Encounter, disposition most couples adopt in handling their communication is negative attitude such as hostility or being combative. After joining the Worldwide Marriage Encounter, many if not all of the couples committed to “dialogue” or communicating their problems and differences. The WME couples are more engaged in constructive communication with the spouse that led them to intimacy and closeness.