“This Place Where I Know Nothing About Him”: Women’s perspective to their partners’ participation in personal growth group

Abstract

Introduction. Data shows that women’s psychological health is decreasing. According to research, romantic relationship satisfaction might be an important factor, contributing to women’s psychological well-being. However, romantic relationships might be perceived differently among women, whose partners are involved in male personal growth group. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate how women perceive their partner’s participation in male personal growth group. Methods. The study was conducted from July 2024 to February 2025 in Lithuania. Participants were 25–49 years old women, whose romantic partners were participating in male personal growth group. Electronic questionnaires included qualitative questions: „How do you see your partner after he started participating in male personal growth group?“; „Describe your feelings toward your partner’s participation in male personal growth group“; and „Describe Your romantic relationships after Your partner started participating in male personal growth group“. In total, 27 women answered these questions. Their responses were analyzed using Brown and Clarke’s thematic analysis method. Results. Three themes have emerged: „Men’s group in the eyes of woman“, „Woman’s, Man’s and their couple’s change“, „Three poles of feelings“. Part of the women shared that it is nice to know their partners having support from other men. Participants were able to see the changes in their partners’ emotion regulation and personality, however, some of the women saw unexpected changes. Women shared that they were hopeful about possibilities of growth, though some of the feelings towards their partners’ participation in group were unpleasant or ambivalent. Conclusions. Experiences of women who participated in this study differed. Some of them shared their happiness seeing partner’s growth, however, part of them experienced unwanted feelings and threats. This study raised questions and perspectives for further studies.