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Couple Conflict and Music Utilisation

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  07 August 2020

Kevin M. Smith Open the ORCID record for Kevin M. Smith [Opens in a new window]  and
Gina Martin Open the ORCID record for Gina Martin [Opens in a new window]
Kevin M. Smith*
Affiliation:
Department of Psychological and Quantitative Foundations, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, USA
Gina Martin
Affiliation:
Department of Rehabilitation and Counselor Education, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, USA
*
Author for correspondence: Kevin Smith, 240 S Madison St., Iowa City, IA52242, USA. Email: kevin-m-smith@uiowa.edu
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Abstract

It is believed that conflict exists on a spectrum, which holds interest for many relationship researchers. However, it is not well understood how music is utilised within couples when they engage in conflict, considering music has been known to assist in reducing physiological, emotional, and social regulation. The proposed study explored how music was utilised in times of conflict for couples through a grounded theory approach. The main themes that emerged were: variability of choice, knowledge of partner's habits, communication, similarity of style, relational distance, repair attempt, music utilisation as relational engagement, emotional regulation, and hopeful togetherness. These themes are presented in a theoretical model of how couples utilise music to regulate social, emotional, and biological domains of their relationship.

Keywords

couple conflictmusic utilisationcouplesbiopsychosocialmodified grounded theory
Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of Relationships Research , Volume 11 , 2020 , e9
Copyright
Copyright © The Author(s), 2020. Published by Cambridge University Press

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