Iranian women's perception of marital dissatisfaction formation: an explanatory qualitative study

Background and purpose: Marital satisfaction is one of the important aspects of preserving family life. Today, due to social developments at the global level, the family system has weakened and many marriages lead to divorce or failed marital relationships. Therefore, considering the undeniable importance of marital satisfaction in the health of couples and children and the increase in the number of divorces in society; we decided to explain Iranian women's perception of marital dissatisfaction formation. Methods: This exploratory qualitative study involved in-depth interviews with 15 married women in Tehran, Iran, in 2024. All participants were in long-term relationships with their husbands. Data were analyzed using conventional content and thematic analysis using MAXQDA 10 software to identify key themes from the women’s experiences. To ensure the rigor of the study, the Guba and Lincoln criteria, including credibility, dependability, confirmability, and transferability, were applied. Results : 114 codes and five themes were extracted. Five main themes include: incorrect criteria for choosing a spouse, Problems caused by beliefs and ideas and cultural issues, personality and individual problems, weakness or lack of life skills, and problems caused by social and economic issues. Conclusion: This study identifies five key issues driving marital dissatisfaction among Iranian women. These issues are entrenched in Iran’s patriarchal and collectivist culture, which limits women’s agency, enforces societal pressure to maintain unhappy marriages, and perpetuates economic dependency. Holistic efforts (combining policy changes, community awareness, and empowerment programs) could reduce dissatisfaction and divorce rates, fostering healthier family dynamics and societal resilience.