Emotional divorce in Türkiye: A constructivist grounded theory study

Date

2026-7-1

Author

Kaya, Özgür Salih

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This study aims to develop a grounded theory that explains emotional divorce within the context of marriage in Türkiye. Emotional divorce was conceptualized not merely as marital dissatisfaction, but as a multidimensional relational phenomenon shaped by emotional, relational, cultural, and self-related experiences that coexist within ongoing marriages. To this end, the study was conducted using the constructivist grounded theory methodology. The research was carried out with participants living in Ankara, Türkiye, including 5 couple therapists, 6 divorced individuals, and 8 married individuals. Data were collected through online qualitative interviews. Following the interviews, the data were analyzed using MAXQDA in accordance with the principles of constructivist grounded theory, and data collection and analysis proceeded simultaneously throughout the study. As a result of the analyses, seven interrelated theoretical constructs were generated: The emotional meaning system of marriage, erotic disengagement, tensionscape, relational precarity, relational shutdown, the cultural anchoring paradox, and reconstructing the self. Collectively, these constructs explain emotional divorce as a multidimensional relational phenomenon characterized by emotional disconnection within ongoing marriages. The findings demonstrate how emotional, relational, cultural, and self-related experiences intersect to shape and sustain emotional divorce despite the continuation of the marital relationship. The study contributes to the understanding of emotional divorce in the Turkish sociocultural context. Practical implications and suggestions for future research were discussed in light of the findings.

Subject Keywords

Emotional divorce, Emotional disconnection, Marital relationships, Constructivist grounded theory, Sociocultural influences

URI

https://hdl.handle.net/11511/119714

Collections

Graduate School of Social Sciences, Thesis