Reflective structured dialogue: A qualitative thematic analysis

• Published date: 01 March 2020
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.1002/crq.21271
• Date: 01 March 2020

RESEARCH ARTICLE

Reflective structured dialogue: A qualitative

thematic analysis

Katherine Gower

1

| Llewellyn Cornelius

1

| Raye Rawls

2

|

Brandy B. Walker

2

1

School of Social Work, University of

Georgia, Athens, Georgia

2

J.W. Fanning Institute for Leadership

Development, University of Georgia,

Athens, Georgia

Correspondence

Katherine Gower, School of Social Work,

University of Georgia, 279 Williams Street,

Athens, GA 30602.

Email: kfg21114@uga.edu

Abstract

Reflective Structured Dialogue (RSD) is a specific type of

dialogue intervention designed to help individuals on

opposing sides of controversial political and social issues

share their perspectives, and communicate in a manner that

allows them to better understand one another. The current

study examined outcomes from case studies on RSD using

qualitative thematic analysis. Eight articles were analyzed,

using an inductive grounded theory approach. The major

themes that emerged were embracing multiple perspectives,

positions of power, stronger/more positive connections,

better communication, personal growth/self-reflection, and

challenges/limitations. Implications, recommendations, and

suggestions for future research are discussed.

1|INTRODUCTION

1.1 |Increasing polarization

In recent years, polarization has dramatically increased among various groups within the United

States, particularly with regards to social and political issues. A recent report from the Pew Research

Center [PRC] (2017) indicates that in the past two decades, the proportion of Americans who hold a

mix of liberal and conservative views has declined, and the average partisan gap between Democrats

and Republicans has more than doubled across a variety of issues, including government aid, racial

discrimination, and immigration, among others. Meanwhile, party antipathy has risen dramatically:

the proportion of Republicans and Democrats who express “very unfavorable”opinions toward the

opposing party has increased from 16 to 38% among democrats, and from 17 to 43% among republi-

cans, since 1994 (PRC, 2017).

As Cleven, Bush, and Saul (2018) observe, increasing polarization presents serious challenges for

any society that aims to embrace diverse opinions and perspectives. It leads to a number of negative

outcomes, such as self-censorship and withdrawal from political participation (Hayes, Scheufele, &

Received: 2 April 2019 Revised: 11 September 2019 Accepted: 20 September 2019

DOI: 10.1002/crq.21271

Conflict Resolution Quarterly. 2020;37:207–221. wileyonlinelibrary.com/journal/crq © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. 207