The Life Experiences of Wives Suffering from Marital Conflicts: A Narrative Inquiry using Sandtray Images

Kwak, Sookyung; Seo, Mia

doi:2022.13.2.69

J Sym & San Therapy > Volume 13(2); 2022 > Article

Original Article

Journal of Symbols & Sandplay Therapy 2022;13(2): 69-116.
doi: https://doi.org/10.12964/jsst.22008

The Life Experiences of Wives Suffering from Marital Conflicts: A Narrative Inquiry using Sandtray Images

Sookyung Kwak¹, Mia Seo²

¹Lead Author, Doctoral Course, Department of Counseling, Dankook University
²Corresponding Author, Professor, Department of Counseling, Dankook University

부부갈등이 있는 아내들의 삶의 경험에 대한 내러티브 탐구: 모래상자 이미지를 활용하여

곽수경¹, 서미아²

¹주저자, 단국대학교 일반대학원 상담학 박사과정
²교신저자, 단국대학교 상담학과 교수

Correspondence :

Mia Seo ,Email: miaseo@dankook.ac.kr

Received: September 26, 2022 Revised: November 16, 2022 Accepted: November 18, 2022

Abstract

This study used narrative inquiry to understand the experiences of three wives who were suffering from marital conflicts. We collected data in the form of stories of life experiences of the participants and the images which they expressed in their sandtrays. Data collection involved interviews with each of the three participants over four 60-minute sessions. Narrative analysis of the data revealed the following meanings of marital conflict: ‘scabs picked over and over’ as the appearance of marital conflict; ‘glacial-interglacial cycles’ as the cycle of marital conflict; ‘seesaw not showing where it is tilted’ as the degree of marital conflict; and ‘walking up the spiral stairs slowly but constantly, at least until today’ as the trajectory of marital conflict. Based on the results of this study, it is proposed to develop an efficient counseling intervention strategy for wives suffering from marital conflict.

KeyWords: marital conflicts, narrative inquiry, sandtray image