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Communication and Its Effects on Marital Intimacy
Intimacy is a key factor contributing to marriage satisfaction, marriage quality,
marriage stability, and marriage functioning (Kamali et al., 2020). It has also been discovered
through research that intimacy is a primary reason why people get married. Communication and
its effects on marital intimacy is a commonly researched topic. Very often communication is
spoken about and referred to as the key to any relationship, especially marriage. I would also go
as far as to say that not only is communication key in any relationship, but comprehension is just
as important. I believe that a couple can communicate with one another until they have said all
there is to say, but if either party is not comprehending what is being said, therein lies the
problem. Intimacy and communication are closely tied together, and I believe you cannot have
one without the other.
The Nature of Communication
In marital relationships, the understanding of words spoken versus those heard differs
from those encountered by other relationships. The basic assumption in committed relationships
stands that neither partner would want to disrespect or hurt the other. This prediction cannot be
made with the remaining world since romance in relationships revolves around utmost trust.
When the trust is solid, then it becomes easier to reveal anything regarding the person This is
vulnerability that many marriages lack. Communication in relationships, therefore, involves trust
and vulnerability as the primary lighthouses. Marriages are usually faced with stresses linked to
preferences, motives and conflicting goals among couples. Unresolved conflicts may contribute
to stress which, when associated with skirmishes, put most relationships at risk. Effective
communication is essential as it helps sustain the relationship and promotes growth [ CITATION
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Har18 \l 1033 ]. Distress and eventual divorce are usually present while the marriage begins and
only pop up when ineffective communication arises [ CITATION Wil21 \l 1033 ].
Direct Collaboration
This operates on principles of democracy whereby the couples are involved in discussing
the problem, seeking solutions, alternatives to generate resolutions [ CITATION Har18 \l 1033 ].
Indirect Collaboration
When the partner is not given a choice but forced to comply, this seems to be a toxic,
manipulative stance, and the marriage is not likely to be successful but instead may result in
divorce [ CITATION Har18 \l 1033 ].
Effective Communication in Couples
During this time, the couples are stressed about the conversation while others may also
feel poor exchange due to the relationship distress. For marital intimacy to be successful, the
couple must actively engage each other and ensure a balance between their trust and
vulnerability [ CITATION Har18 \l 1033 ]
The Nature of Intimacy
Intimacy suggests closeness, proximity, and even entanglement (Khubchandani, 2020). In
a marital context this can be translated to emotional disclosure, mutual understanding, and
cohesiveness. Intimacy is also like opening the door of your house to a stranger.
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Emotional Disclosure
For a person to share honestly about what is going on internally places one in a
vulnerable position (Balswick, 2021). A safe environment must be present for this type of
openness to occur. Mutual Understanding
The prevalence of anonymity and impersonalization in our society leads to superficial
relating (Balswick, 2021). The level of commitment to having clarity about what the
other partner is sharing must be at high intensity.
Cohesiveness
It’s assurance for each one that they are both an asset and important to the union, thus
creating a lasting bond that can’t easily be broken. The Bible speaks to this in Ecclesiastes 4:12,
“Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not
quickly broken”.
Lack of Intimacy, Communication and Divorce
In this section of the paper, you will connect your first main topic to the overall subject of
your paper and include how each subtopic relates to the topic A. This section should be 1
paragraph in length and does not need to be completed for the Outline Assignment.
Creating Lasting Satisfaction in Marriage
In contemporary society, the incentives to marriage include the need to love and have
intimate relationship with a partner, to have a companion in life, to satisfy psychological needs,
and to increase joy. (Kardan-Souraki, M., Hamzehgardeshi, Z., Asadpour, I., Mohammadpour, R.
A., & Khani, S, 2016). This means that the couple must find ways that are creative to ensure both
individuals’ needs are being met. Because marriage is work, the couple should seek to find
intervention methods that allow them to forgo negative mindsets about one another and heal any
open wounds. It is necessary for the couple to seek a coach or mentor that has relevant
knowledge of what it takes for the marriage to last.
Early Intervention
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How spouses communicate is essential in determining the feeling of their relationship. As
a result, communication plays a role in the most leading theories of marital intimacy
development [ CITATION Wil21 \l 1033 ].
Positive Communication Strategies
Healthy marriages are built through effective communication, and some of the positive
communication strategies include giving the partner full attention, not interrupting the partner
and lastly but not least, creating a neutral space [ CITATION Pac21 \l 1033 ].
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References
Kardan-Souraki, M., Hamzehgardeshi, Z., Asadpour, I., Mohammadpour, R. A., & Khani, S.
(2016). A Review of Marital Intimacy-Enhancing Interventions Among Married
Individuals. Global Journal of Health Science, 8(8), 53109.
https://doi.org/10.5539/gjhs.v8n8p74
Haris, Farah & Kumar, Aneesh. (2018). Marital Satisfaction and Communication Skills Among
Married Couples. Indian Journal of Social Research, 59.
Kamali, Z., Allahyar, N., Ostovar, S., Alhabshi, S. M., & Griffiths, M. D. (2020). Factors
That Influence Marital Intimacy: A Qualitative Analysis of Iranian Married Couples.
Cogent Psychology, 7(1), 1771118. https://doi.org/10.1080/23311908.2020.1771118
Kareem Khubchandani (2020) Intimacies, Amerasia Journal, 46:2, 236-237, DOI:
10.1080/00447471.2020.1865070
Khalifian, C. E., & Barry, R. A. (2020). Expanding intimacy theory: Vulnerable disclosures and
partner responding. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 37(1), 58–76.
https://doi.org/10.1177/0265407519853047
Nik Norazira, A. A., Hassan, N. A., & Buhari, N. (2018). Intimacy in Marital Relationship:
Effect of Internet Usage. Geografia, 14(3) http://ezproxy.liberty.edu/login?qurl=https
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Wijnberg-Williams, B. J., Van de Wiel, H. B. M., Kamps, W., & Hoekstra-Weebers, J. E. H. M.
(2015). Effects of Communication Styles on Marital Satisfaction and Distress of Parents
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of Pediatric Cancer Patients: A Prospective Longitudinal Study. Psycho-Oncology, 24(1),
106–112. https://doi.org/10.1002/pon.3617
Yoo, H., Bartle-Haring, S., Day, R. D., & Gangamma, R. (2014). Couple Communication,
Emotional and Sexual Intimacy, and Relationship Satisfaction. Journal of Sex & Marital
Therapy, 40(4), 275-293. https://doi.org/10.1080/0092623X.2012.751072
Intimacy in Marriage. (2019, May 12). The Guardian http://ezproxy.liberty.edu/login?qurl=https
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