Casamentos de Longa Duração: Recursos Pessoais como Estratégias de Manutenção do Laço Conjugal

Abstract

ResumoPartindo da abordagem da Psicologia Positiva, este estudo teve por objetivo compreender as principais estratégias e recursos pessoais utilizados por casais engajados em casamentos de longa duração para a manutenção do relacionamento conjugal. Foram realizadas 75 entrevistas com 25 casais heterossexuais unidos, em média, havia 39,48 anos, com média de idade de 64,06 anos. A partir da análise de conteúdo, de frequência e considerando o objetivo do estudo, foram analisadas em profundidade as seguintes categorias: compreensão, comprometimento e doação, espiritualidade e afetividade. Os momentos de crise foram superados, sobretudo, por meio da manutenção dos esforços que cada parceiro envidou, a partir dos seus próprios recursos pessoais e de sua individualidade, contribuindo para o fortalecimento do laço conjugal. Concluiu-se que o casamento é mantido por estratégias que são desenvolvidas tanto a partir de recursos pessoais como de elementos compartilhados pelo par, o que indica que a conjugalidade oferece suporte para sua própria permanência ao longo do tempo. Palavras-chave: relações conjugais, satisfação conjugal, psicologia positiva Long-term Marriages: Personal Resources as Maintenance Strategies of Conjugal Bond AbstractStarting from the Positive Psychology approach this study aimed to understand the main strategies and personal resources used by couple engaged in long term marriages in order to maintain the marital relationship. Seventy-five interviews with twenty-five heterosexual couples, together on average for 39.48 years, and aging on average 64.06 years, were performed. Beginning from the analysis of content, frequency, and considering the objective of the study the following categories were analysed: comprehension, compromise and giving, spirituality and affection. The moments of crisis have been overcome, especially by maintaining the efforts that each partner has made, from their own personal resources and their individuality, contributing to strengthening the marital bond. It was concluded that the marriage is maintained by strategies that are developed both from personal resources and elements shared by the couple, which indicates that the conjugality offers support to its own permanence over time. Keywords: marital relations, marital satisfaction, positive psychology Matrimonios a Largo Plazo: Recursos Personales y Estrategias de Mantenimiento del Vínculo ConyugalResumen A partir del enfoque de la Psicología Positiva, este estudio tuvo como objetivo comprender las principales estrategias y recursos personales utilizados por las parejas comprometidas en matrimonios duraderos para mantener la relación conyugal. Fueron conducidas 75 entrevistas con 25 parejas heterosexuales unidas en promedio hace 39.48 años, con una edad media de 64.06 años. A partir del análisis de contenido, frecuencia y teniendo en cuenta el propósito del estudio, se analizaron en profundidad las siguientes categorías: comprensión, comprometimiento y entrega, espiritualidad y afectividad. Los momentos de crisis se superaron...

Perceptions of care among elderly couples

“…This is related to the trajectory of their lives to date and the type of relationship they have constructed over the years. However, in most cases the response to these phases is positive and couples are strengthened by the union, affection and pleasure in cohabitation permeated by care 4 , as was observed in the present study.…”

“…Care among elderly couples in times of frailty is shown as a way of demonstrating affection, concern and also reciprocating the care and attention one has received from a partner who is now ill. Yet, care can also convey trust and empathy, increasing affective bonds, promoting much more than simple tasks of helping the patient, building a bond wrapped in feelings such as empathy, protection, attention, readiness and understanding 4,5 .…”

“…It therefore creates a perception of love, care and patience for the caregiver, and a way of demonstrating protection, care and affection for those receiving care 4,5 . These displays of affection involving care between couples can strengthen the relationship, improve the sense of well-being and quality of life of both, and consequently promote health 10 .…”

“…Returning to the conjugal dyad, as explained in the discourse of the elderly, passes through a reorganization of the roles of both spouses, as they no longer have to provide their attention and concern to their children, but to each other, marked by a return to intimacy and long coexistence, as at the start of married life. In this phase, it is possible for couples to construct a greater, more affectionate bond, provided that within the relationship there is mutual help and companionship 4 .…”

“…The relationships of elderly couples can frequently last for years, beginning in youth and surviving all the transformations of life until old age 4 . With children leaving home, physiological and emotional changes and in some cases the onset of illnesses, elderly couples begin to care for each other.…”