New beginnings : moving on to intimate relationships following marital separation

Abstract

The present study focused on the lived experience of moving on to committed, intimate relationships following marital separation, and which factors help or hinder forming new relationships. The methodology used in this study was that of the interpretative phenomenological approach and data was collected by means of semi-structured interviews. The sample consisted of four individuals; three females and one male, who had been through the experience of marital separation and who had gone on to enter intimate relationships following separation. The transcriptions of the interviews were analysed by means of a thematic analysis, from which a number of common themes were identified. Findings indicate that separated adults go through a process of cognitive re assessment of the characteristics they subjectively perceive as required for a successful relationship, as well as being more aware of which components would signal a deteriorating relationship.