A Complex Unit Interviews Analysis Approach in Qualitative Social Work Research.

This article presents the Complex Unit Interviews Analysis (CUIA) approach, a qualitative research method designed to analyze complex units (CUs) composed of two or more groups with multiple members, each holding distinct perspectives on a studied phenomenon. Grounded in the naturalistic–constructivist paradigm, CUIA employs a four-phase circular procedure involving thematic analysis, vertical (within-group) and horizontal (between-group) comparisons, and cross-unit refinement to capture multifaceted realities in social work (SW) research. Illustrated through a family study on late-life repartnering in multigenerational stepfamilies, CUIA enables integration of individual and group perspectives without privileging any single view, thereby enhancing understanding of relational dynamics and informing SW interventions. The method addresses limitations of prior individual and dyadic analyses by accommodating the complexity of social and familial units, though it requires careful ethical considerations due to confidentiality challenges inherent in analyzing interconnected group members.