Lived Experience of Couples Regarding the Maintaining Factors of Marital Conflicts

Based on the lived experience of couples, the current research was conducted to investigate the maintaining factor of marital conflicts. The present study was a qualitative phenomenological study. The statistical population included all couples referred to counseling centers in Bojnourd City from July to October 2020. Twenty-two who had marital conflict were selected by the convenient sampling method. The number of participants could not be predicted from the beginning, and the researcher finally reached saturation by regularly checking the data and asking questions. Also, semi-structured interviews were used to collect data. Data analysis was performed using the coding method of Strauss and Corbin (1996) in three stages open, axial, and selective coding. The information obtained is based on the data from the research questions raised in the form of interviews. Thematic analysis of the maintaining factors of marital conflict was classified into three main components and 12 sub-components: intergenerational factors, interpersonal, and intrapersonal factors.

Intrapersonal, interpersonal, and intergenerational factors are the main factors that cause conflicts between conflicting couples. Finally, qualitative research leads to a more detailed and deeper understanding of couples' marital problems. This way, providing appropriate counseling solutions to improve marital life is possible.