Journal article

Pathways and Patterns for Communication with Intimate Partners: Men’s Retrospectives After a Relationship Breakdown

JL Oliffe, MT Kelly, G Gonzalez Montaner, ZE Seidler, JS Ogrodniczuk, D Kealy, SM Rice

Men and Masculinities | Published : 2023

Abstract

Effective communication is key to the quality of men’s intimate partner relationships. The current study examines men’s pathways and patterns for communication with intimate partners. Based on interviews with 47 Canadian and Australian participants (26–70-years-old; M = 40.87, SD = 10.59) who had experienced a relationship breakdown[s], three themes were derived: (a) Breaking through after breaking up, (b) Detailing deficiencies, and (c) Building skills and strategies. Breaking through after breaking up mapped men’s pathways in retrospectively evaluating and addressing their communication. Men’s self-work focussed on knowing themselves to more authentically communicate with partners. Detaili..

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University of Melbourne Researchers

Grants

Awarded by Michael Smith Health Research BC


Funding Acknowledgements

The author(s) disclosed receipt of the following financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article: This study was made possible with Funding by Movember (Grant #017801). JLO is supported by a Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in Men's Health Promotion. SMR is supported by a Career Development Fellowship from the National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia (GNT1158881), and the Dame Kate Campbell Fellowship from the Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences at The University of Melbourne. DK is supported by a Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research Scholar award.