Between war and peace: Interactional patterns of couples under prolonged uncertainty

As part of a larger prospective study of Israeli and Palestinian families during the peace process, qualitative analysis of data from a subsample of 30 couples was conducted. Couples were classified by frequency of communication about the situation, topics most often discussed, degree of consensus on major issues, emotional role differentiation, and changes in relationship. Based on these classifications, couples were mapped on a multidimensional grid. The plot revealed a variety of interactional patterns in couples under prolonged environmental stress. Couples who reported a deterioration of their relationship had more disagreements regarding the meaning of the peace process and its consequences for the family, and were more concerned with economic issues or the situational ambiguity. Partners with a stronger ideological orientation tended to agree more often and to report an increase in cohesiveness. Theoretical and methodological implications are discussed in terms of the constructivist view of the family stress process.