Facilitating Factors of Mentalizing in Marital Relationships: A Thematic Analysis of Content and Process Dynamics

Abstract

Objective: Mentalizing, or the ability to understand and interpret the mental states of oneself and others, plays a fundamental role in the quality of couples’ relationships. This qualitative study was conducted to discover the facilitating factors of mentalizing in marital relationships. Methods: Thematic analysis was used to identify the main and meaningful patterns in the interview data with couples. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 14 couples who had been together for at least 2 years. Results: Based on the findings of this research, the factors facilitating mentalizing in couples’ relationships were discovered in three main themes: content factors (emotional literacy, cognitive insight, and knowledge of the partner), process factors (effective communication, empathetic engagement, conflict resolution, humor, curiosity, and patience), and content-process factors (contextual understanding, flexibility, and shared emotional regulation). Conclusions: These themes offer valuable insights into how partners understand and connect, providing a comprehensive framework for facilitating mentalizing in intimate relationships. © The Author(s) 2025.