Qualitative Interview on Traits of a Healthy Marriage
Qualitative Interview on Traits of a Healthy Marriage
Principles of Marital Therapy
Rob/Chronister Family
This interview was conducted with James Rob, 63, and Tonya Chronister, 50, on October 11th, 2013. Mr. Rob is the only child, and his parents had been married for 42 years when his mother passed away. Mrs. Chronister is the youngest of 2 girls, and her parents divorced after 28 years of marriage. Mrs. Chronister was introduced to Mr. Rob in October of 1983 when two of their mutual friends suggested they double date. Mrs. Chronister recalled knowing Mr. Rob was “the one” that night, and Mr. Rob admitted to feeling “inadequate…I didn’t think I had a shot in hell with her.” He decided to pursue her anyway, and said they were inseparable from that night forward. After dating for six months, the couple moved in together and cohabitated for the next 12 years. During that time, they both pursued degrees, Mr. Rob in criminal law and Mrs. Chronister in Biology. Once Mrs. Chronister completed her degree in the summer of 1995, the couple decided to wed. because of how their bills and property were titled, they decided that Mrs. Chronister would not take Mr. Rob’s name after marriage. The couple has no children but consider their two dogs, Buster and Baxter, their children. Mr. Rob is an attorney, and Mrs. Chronister is a substance abuse counselor.
When asked to identify the greatest strengths in their marriage, Mrs. Chronister and Mr. Rob both agreed that their friendship is their greatest strength. Both feel they can go to each other with any issue, and said they have a high level of mutual respect for one another.
When asked to describe conflict resolution within their marriage, Mrs. Chronister reported that while they are both strong-willed and highly opinionated individuals, they respect each other’s opinions and points of view and strive to find a common ground. Mr. Rob said it’s all about “negotiating.”
When asked what
Principles of Marital Therapy
Rob/Chronister Family
This interview was conducted with James Rob, 63, and Tonya Chronister, 50, on October 11th, 2013. Mr. Rob is the only child, and his parents had been married for 42 years when his mother passed away. Mrs. Chronister is the youngest of 2 girls, and her parents divorced after 28 years of marriage. Mrs. Chronister was introduced to Mr. Rob in October of 1983 when two of their mutual friends suggested they double date. Mrs. Chronister recalled knowing Mr. Rob was “the one” that night, and Mr. Rob admitted to feeling “inadequate…I didn’t think I had a shot in hell with her.” He decided to pursue her anyway, and said they were inseparable from that night forward. After dating for six months, the couple moved in together and cohabitated for the next 12 years. During that time, they both pursued degrees, Mr. Rob in criminal law and Mrs. Chronister in Biology. Once Mrs. Chronister completed her degree in the summer of 1995, the couple decided to wed. because of how their bills and property were titled, they decided that Mrs. Chronister would not take Mr. Rob’s name after marriage. The couple has no children but consider their two dogs, Buster and Baxter, their children. Mr. Rob is an attorney, and Mrs. Chronister is a substance abuse counselor.
When asked to identify the greatest strengths in their marriage, Mrs. Chronister and Mr. Rob both agreed that their friendship is their greatest strength. Both feel they can go to each other with any issue, and said they have a high level of mutual respect for one another.
When asked to describe conflict resolution within their marriage, Mrs. Chronister reported that while they are both strong-willed and highly opinionated individuals, they respect each other’s opinions and points of view and strive to find a common ground. Mr. Rob said it’s all about “negotiating.”
When asked what