Previous research has examined the various types of online infidelity, gender differences in online sexual behaviors, and relationship consequences of online affairs. Despite this attention, there remains a research gap regarding ways to prevent online infidelity. When couples seek therapy to address this issue, therapists report a lack of specific preparedness. This qualitative research project focused on methods for assisting couples by studying how they develop an agreement regarding appropriate and inappropriate online behaviors. Grounded theory was used to analyze the data from dyadic interviews with 12 engaged heterosexual couples. The interviews generated five common steps in the process of developing an agreement: (a) discuss the various online activities the couple participates in online; (b) define online infidelity; (c) discuss which activities are appropriate and which are not appropriate; (d) develop rules; and (e) state what occurs when an agreement is violated. Three couples had developed an agreement prior to the study and two couples developed an agreement through the process of the interview. Seven couples reported, however, that an agreement would not be beneficial in their relationship. These couples suggested using alternatives to an online behavior agreement including have mutual respect, eliminate questionable activities, get to know their fiancé or fiancée, and not participate in any online activities that they would not do in front of their partner. Although the study presupposed that couples would embrace the development of a mutual agreement, most couples elected to use other approaches. The results raise useful questions about couple readiness for structured prevention strategies and therapist approaches for clinical intervention. / Ph. D.

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Made available in DSpace on 2016-04-28T20:38:56Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Elana Costa Ramiro.pdf: 1197372 bytes, checksum: 2f8093e0539162f4155c883e979d7ca5 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014-09-08 / The objective of this research was to understand the process of the construction of the conjugal relationship from the sharing of intergenerational stories of a couple while preparing for marriage. In order to contextualize this study, a brief historical description of dating within the Brazilian context was presented; from the colonial period in Brazil to the current days including a discussion of the main tasks undertaken since the formation of the couple up to the of the first stage of the family life cycle and yet a presentation of what the family within an intergenerational perspective consists of. This was a qualitative research with an instrumental case outline. An engaged couple from the researcher's network of contacts was appointed and three meetings were conducted with the purpose of investigating the intergenerational stories and how this knowledge could be used in the construction process of conjugal relationship. In the meetings the instruments used were the semi-structured interviews and the genogram. This study highlighted the fact that the sharing of intergenerational stories during the marriage preparation period is essential in the process of building the conjugal relationship. The sooner the couple goes through this process; it will take more time to mature conjugal project. This study also paves the way for preventive work with couples and families in clinics, institutions and communities / O objetivo desta pesquisa foi compreender o processo da construção da conjugalidade a partir do compartilhamento das histórias intergeracionais de um casal em fase de preparação para o casamento. Como forma de contextualização este estudo apresentou uma breve descrição histórica do namoro no Brasil desde o período colonial até os dias atuais; uma discussão a respeito das principais tarefas desenvolvidas desde a formação do casal até o final da primeira fase do ciclo de vida familiar e ainda uma apresentação do que é a família dentro de uma perspectiva sistêmica intergeracional. Tratou-se de uma pesquisa qualitativa com delineamento em estudo de caso instrumental. Foi escolhido um casal de noivos por indicação da rede de contatos da pesquisadora. Foram realizados três encontros com o objetivo de conhecer as histórias intergeracionais e de que maneira este conhecimento poderia ser usado no processo de construção da conjugalidade. Nos encontros foram utilizados como instrumentos a entrevista semiestruturada e o genograma. Este estudo evidenciou o fato de que o compartilhamento das histórias intergeracionais durante o período de preparação para o casamento é fundamental no processo de construção da conjugalidade. O quanto antes o casal passar por este processo, mais tempo ele terá para amadurecer o projeto conjugal. Este estudo também constrói um caminho para o trabalho preventivo com casais e famílias que pode ser estendido aos consultórios, instituições e comunidades

The diploma thesis shows the current state and level of marriage preparation of the engaged couples within the Hradec Kralove diocese border region. The thesis examines and evaluates the status of the preparations in four vicariates in connection with the related church documents. The particular vicariates together with the qualified personnel are introduced and number of marriages for the past ten years is listed for a reference. The thesis characterises four different types of engaged couples and introduces several types of preparations. The current state of the preparations in the region is surveyed and findings are presented in the thesis. Among the preparations guided by a priest the thesis describes additional tools and techniques complementing the preparations. The final part of the thesis is dedicated to these complementary preparation tools and techniques which are presented, compared and evaluated here. The diploma thesis notices preparation of engaged couples with respect to the formation of the future family, which is encouraged by the thesis.