Identifying and Comparing of Cyberspace-Induced Damages in Marital Relationship (Case Study in Isfahan City)

The present study aimed to identify and compare cyberspace-induced damages in marital relationship in the city of Isfahan. The study was conducted through a com-bined method of exploratory-sequential approach (tool initiation). In qualitative phase of study the concepts and categories of cyberspace-induced damages were iden-tified by applying angulation technique and qualitative-purposive sampling meth-od (through interviews with spouses affect-ed by cyberspace, family counseling spe-cialists and studying documents). The concepts and categories included interpersonal problems (sexual problems, extramarital relationships, diminished inti-macy) and intrapersonal problems (inter-net addiction, change in lifestyle, threats in values). Then, the identified concepts and categories in the qualitative phase were applied to design the tool. After nor-malizing, the questionnaire was completed by 240 couples selected through the multi-stage cluster sampling method. The final results of the study indicated that the cyberspace-induced damages on marital relationship and its dimensions (intrape-rsonal problems and interpersonal proble-ms) were significantly higher in men than in women.