Designing a Model of Marital Success Based on the Lived Experiences of Couples

Abstract

Marriage, as a social institution with a vital role in individual well-being and societal stability, requires a deeper understanding of the lived experiences of successful couples. This study, aiming to design and validate a culturally grounded model of marital success within the Iranian context based on the lived experiences of successful couples, seeks to fill the existing research gap. This research was conducted using an exploratory mixed-methods design. In the qualitative phase, grounded theory was applied through semi-structured interviews with 16 successful couples in Mashhad. Data were analyzed using open, axial, and selective coding. In the quantitative phase, the resulting conceptual model was converted into a researcher-developed questionnaire, and its validity and reliability were assessed. Subsequently, the questionnaire was administered to 382 couples in Mashhad, and the data were analyzed using structural equation modeling. The qualitative analysis led to the identification of the core category of “successful marriage as a transparent and unambiguous marital relationship.” The model consists of six main dimensions: causal conditions (e.g., sense of freedom and open communication), contextual conditions (e.g., love and sexual satisfaction), intervening conditions (e.g., adaptation to parental roles), strategies (e.g., personal growth and conflict management), and consequences (e.g., flourishing and sense of peace). The quantitative results also confirmed the good fit of the proposed model. Marital success is a dynamic and multidimensional process rooted in transparency, mutual respect, and the simultaneous growth of both partners. The proposed model can serve as a practical framework for family counselors, couple therapists, and young couples to strengthen the foundations of marital life and prevent potential problems.