Fear of Marriage Among Young Women and Men: A Qualitative Thematic Analysis of Socio-Cultural and Family-Related Patterns

Objective: This study aimed to identify the major socio-cultural, family-related, economic, psychological, and relational patterns underlying fear of marriage among young single women and men.

Methods and Materials: This qualitative exploratory study was conducted within an interpretive–constructivist paradigm in Shahreza, Iran. Participants were single young women and men who experienced fear, hesitation, or avoidance regarding marriage. They were selected using purposive and snowball sampling. Semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted until theoretical saturation was achieved. Data were analyzed using Braun and Clarke’s reflexive thematic analysis approach, including familiarization with the data, initial coding, theme generation, theme review, theme definition, and narrative synthesis. Strategies such as participant feedback, constant comparison, analytic memo writing, and documentation of coding decisions were used to enhance trustworthiness.

Findings: The analysis showed that fear of marriage was a multidimensional socio-cultural construction rather than merely an individual psychological problem. Five major thematic domains were identified: family and upbringing factors, economic constraints, psychological and individual factors, social and cultural factors, and deficits in communication skills and marriage readiness. The most salient subthemes included parental conflict or divorce, lack of family support, unemployment, housing insecurity, high marriage costs, fear of divorce, fear of marital responsibilities, mistrust of the opposite sex, perfectionism in spouse selection, negative experiences in previous relationships, exposure to failed marriages, and inability to achieve reassurance during premarital acquaintance.

Conclusion: Fear of marriage among young adults emerges from the interaction of family trauma, economic insecurity, changing cultural norms, and insufficient relational readiness. Interventions should combine premarital education, communication-skills training, family counseling, and structural support for youth employment and housing.