Exploring Fear of Marriage among Single Women and Men in Iran: A Qualitative Thematic Analysis
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Objective: This study aimed to explore the psychological, familial, economic, and sociocultural patterns underlying fear of marriage among single women and men in Shahreza, Iran.
Methods and Materials: An exploratory qualitative study within an interpretive–constructivist paradigm was conducted. Participants experiencing marriage-related fear, hesitation, or avoidance were recruited through purposive and snowball sampling until thematic saturation. Data were collected through in-depth, semi-structured interviews and analyzed using Braun and Clarke’s reflexive thematic analysis. Trustworthiness was supported through participant feedback, reflexive documentation, and an audit trail.
Findings: Five interconnected themes were identified: family and upbringing factors, economic insecurity, psychological and individual concerns, sociocultural pressures, and inadequate communication skills and marriage readiness. Participants described parental conflict, divorce, negative relationship experiences, unemployment, housing insecurity, financial expectations, fear of commitment, and perceived incompatibility as important sources of marriage-related anxiety. Three overarching experiential contexts emerged: adverse childhood and adolescent experiences, contemporary sociocultural insecurity, and difficulty achieving trust and reassurance during premarital relationships. These experiences contributed to uncertainty, avoidance, and prolonged marriage decisions.
Conclusion: Fear of marriage emerged as a multidimensional phenomenon shaped by interconnected personal experiences and sociocultural conditions rather than solely individual psychological vulnerability. Context-sensitive premarital counseling, relationship education, and structural support may address the concerns identified.
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