Dyadic Coping in Maintaining Romantic Relationships: A Case Study on Married Couples with Vaginismus

Abstract

Vaginismus is a sexual disorder in which penetration becomes challenging to perform. Married couples with vaginismus are expected to maintain closeness in establishing romantic relationships. Married couples who are unable to do dyadic coping to overcome vaginismus problems are very vulnerable to triggering conflicts that lead to divorce. The purpose of this study is to provide an overview of dyadic coping in married couples with vaginismus. This study uses a qualitative method with a case study approach. The number of research participants was three couples and three informants who were relatives of the participants. Data were collected using semi-structured interviews and questionnaires (Dyadic et al. and DASS-stress subscale) filled out before the interview process took place as an initial psychological picture of the participants. The DCI by Bodenmann consists of 37 items, with 35 items arranged based on aspects and forms of dyadic coping in the form of stressful, supportive, delegated, negative, and ordinary communication, and two items in the form of evaluation statements. DASS by Lovibond and Lovibond, which consists of 42 items. The data was analyzed using the Miles and Huberman model, with data condensation, presentation, and conclusion. The findings of the dyadic coping process are in the form of the theme of an open stress communication pattern by showing sadness, positive perceptions, and positive emotions in response to stress communication that occurs in carrying out emotion regulation strategies; positive dyadic coping responses in the form of providing support and solving problems faced both in supportive and common dyadic coping; triggering factors; and the positive benefits of dyadic coping. The research can be used as a reference for dyadic coping in married couples with vaginismus so that couples always raise awareness to strengthen each other to establish a romantic relationship as a married couple.

Keywords: dyadic coping, stress communication, romantic relationships, husband-wife, vaginismus