A Qualitative Analysis of Couples’ Experiences of Intrusive Parental Involvement in Marital Life
Keywords:
Intrusive parents, in-laws, marital boundaries, marital intimacy, qualitative analysis, Iranian couplesAbstract
This study aimed to explore the lived experiences of couples in Tehran regarding intrusive parental involvement in marital life and to identify its consequences for boundaries, intimacy, decision-making, and dyadic interaction. This qualitative study was conducted using thematic analysis. The participants included 24 individuals, namely 12 married couples living in Tehran, who reported direct and recurrent experiences of interference by their own parents or parents-in-law in their marital relationship. Participants were selected through purposive sampling with maximum variation in age, duration of marriage, education, and type of parental interference. Sampling continued until theoretical saturation was reached. Data were collected through in-depth semi-structured interviews. Each interview lasted between 50 and 80 minutes and was audio-recorded with informed consent, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using NVivo software. Data analysis followed the stages of thematic analysis, including familiarization with the data, initial coding, theme development, theme review, theme definition, and final reporting. To enhance trustworthiness, member checking, peer review, analytical memoing, and an audit trail were used. Analysis of the interviews led to the identification of five main categories: permeable boundaries and weakening of the marital subsystem, triangulation and transfer of marital conflict to families of origin, erosion of autonomy and joint decision-making, decline of intimacy and emotional security, and efforts to rebuild boundaries and relational independence. Participants described parental interference through repeated advice, financial and parenting control, judgment of marital roles, comparison with family norms, and direct involvement in couple conflicts. The main consequences included reduced couple unity, distrust, hidden coalitions, defensive silence, accumulated anger, and emotional distance. Intrusive parental involvement becomes harmful when marital boundaries are unclear, spouses lack a shared position toward family pressure, and loyalty to the family of origin overrides commitment to the marital relationship. The findings emphasize the need for boundary-setting education, couple communication training, differentiation from the family of origin, and specialized couple therapy for intergenerational marital conflicts.
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