Marital dissatisfaction among Iranian women: a qualitative exploration of social, cultural, and economic determinants

Marital dissatisfaction represents an important public health concern with implications for psychological well-being, family functioning, and social stability. In culturally complex contexts such as Iran, marital relationships are shaped by a combination of interpersonal, socio-cultural, and structural influences. Despite its importance, limited qualitative research has explored how women may experience and interpret marital dissatisfaction within this setting. This qualitative study used a conventional content analysis approach in 2024. Fifteen women met the inclusion criteria based on a Persian-validated Index of Marital Satisfaction (IMS) score above the predefined cut-off (i.e., > 30) and were purposively recruited from counseling centers in Tehran, Iran. Data were collected through in-depth semi-structured interviews and analyzed using the Graneheim and Lundman method. Data collection continued until no theoretical saturation was reached (i.e., no new codes or themes emerged). Trustworthiness was ensured through prolonged engagement, member checking, and peer debriefing to ensure credibility, dependability, confirmability, and transferability. Analysis of the data resulted in five interrelated themes: inadequate criteria for spouse selection, cultural and belief-related challenges, individual and personality-related factors, deficiencies in life skills, and socio-economic pressures. These themes reflect the complex interplay between individual experiences and broader contextual influences. The findings of this qualitative study suggest that, among the women interviewed, marital dissatisfaction was shaped by multiple, interconnected factors operating across different levels. Addressing this issue requires culturally informed interventions, including premarital education, improved access to counseling, and policies aimed at strengthening women’s socio-economic position. These results offer context-specific insights into the experiences of this group, which may inform future research in similar settings.