Examining the paradigmatic model of choosing a spouse and satisfaction in satisfied couples in Tehran; A grounded theory study

The most important criterion for a healthy family is choosing a suitable spouse and the couple's satisfaction with marriage.

The aim of this study was to investigate the paradigmatic model of choosing a spouse and satisfaction in satisfied couples in Tehran.

The method of the current research was qualitative and of the type of grounded theory paradigm studies. The statistical population of the research includes couples who have gone to marriage counseling centers for pre-marriage counseling centers in Tehran between 2017-2019, and among them, 15 people were selected through targeted sampling. The obtained information was also analyzed through coding according to the model of Strauss and Corbin.

Finally, all the included paradigm patterns were obtained in the form of main components and sub-components and operational concepts. The central category included two components: wise and healthy choice and perspective transition to a stable marriage; causal conditions: macro-influencing factors and independence and differentiation of couples and relationship with the main family; background conditions: family similarities and cultural similarities; intervening conditions: components of belief and cognitive systems of couples and behavioural action of couples in the process of choosing a spouse; the strategies: marriage care strategies and communication strategies; the consequences: psychological and social consequences for couples and consequences for children.

It can be concluded that in Iranian culture, several factors at different levels of choosing a spouse, behavioral and cognitive features of couples as well as marriage care strategies affect selection of a satisfactory spouse, Therefore, it is suggested that counselors and couple therapists to formulate their interventions based on this.