Introduction
The evolving structure of the family in contemporary societies—particularly the shifting patterns of marriage and childbearing—has underscored the need to re-evaluate the factors influencing the sustainability of married life. In recent years, rising divorce rates, delayed marriages, and a declining desire to have children have brought renewed attention to the quality and longevity of marital relationships. Within this context, the concept of marital sustainability—encompassing the continuity, commitment, satisfaction, and cohesion of a couple’s relationship—has emerged as a key indicator in the analysis of family dynamics.
While prior research has primarily focused on individual factors such as personality traits, communication skills, or economic status, this study adopts a more integrative approach. It seeks to explore the combined impact of individual, social, and structural variables on marital sustainability. A central aspect of this research is the comparison between couples with children and those without, aiming to illuminate the role of parenthood in the endurance of marital bonds. Furthermore, the study considers the influence of gender and educational background to help build a more comprehensive and nuanced model.
The primary goal of this study is to develop a localized framework for understanding marital sustainability and to address the critical question: What factors contribute to the stability and quality of marital relationships under the current social conditions in Iran? It also aims to identify the differences in sustainability factors between couples with and without children, and to assess the roles of gender and income in shaping these dynamics.
Methodology
This study employs a mixed-methods approach, integrating both qualitative and quantitative techniques to provide a comprehensive understanding of marital sustainability among couples. In the qualitative phase, thematic analysis was utilized to explore the lived experiences of couples. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 38 couples who had been married for over ten years, including both those with and without children. Participants were selected through purposive and snowball sampling methods, ensuring a diverse and relevant sample. For the quantitative phase, a structured questionnaire was administered to assess the proposed model of the study, which included indicators to measure individual, social, communication, and economic factors. The questionnaire was completed by 300 individuals who had been married for over ten years, experienced dissatisfaction in their marital life, yet remained in the marriage and sought counseling at family counseling centers. In the qualitative analysis, MAXQDA software was employed, while for the quantitative data, PLS and SPSS 20 software were used. The combination of both methods facilitated a more in-depth and multi-dimensional exploration of marital sustainability, enabling the identification of nuanced factors and the complex interactions between variables that could not be fully captured through quantitative analysis alone.
 
Findings
The study's findings indicate that marital sustainability is influenced by a range of interconnected factors, which can be analyzed across three levels: individual, interactive, and structural. At the individual level, communication skills, conflict management abilities, emotional and psychological investments, and religious and value-based beliefs were found to play pivotal roles. Couples who exhibited higher levels of self-awareness, mutual acceptance, and effective problem-solving abilities tended to experience more stable and satisfying relationships.
At the interactive level, factors such as positive role models from the family of origin, shared goals, active participation in decision-making, and the equitable distribution of family responsibilities were identified as key influences on marital longevity. Moreover, the role of children in enhancing family cohesion and commitment to the relationship was particularly significant for couples with children. The data revealed that couples with children demonstrated higher levels of marital sustainability compared to those without, although this did not necessarily correlate with higher levels of marital satisfaction.
At the structural level, social support, economic status, employment, education, and the availability of counseling and educational resources were found to significantly impact relationship quality. Additionally, notable differences in marital sustainability were observed between gender and educational groups. These results underscore the importance of designing supportive and educational policies aimed at enhancing marital quality within Iranian society.
Discussion and Conclusion
The findings of this study suggest that marital sustainability is a multifaceted concept influenced by the complex interplay of individual characteristics, family interaction patterns, and societal structural conditions. The results indicate that focusing solely on individual or economic factors fails to provide a comprehensive understanding of marital sustainability. Rather, it is essential to consider the broader interactive dynamics, cultural attitudes, and value systems that shape marital relationships.
A significant insight from the study is the mediating role of childbearing in promoting commitment and relationship continuity. However, while children may contribute to the stability of a marriage, their presence does not automatically result in higher marital satisfaction. In fact, in the absence of effective communication skills, having children may exacerbate marital pressures. This highlights the importance of addressing communication dynamics in relationship sustainability.
Additionally, the study found gender differences in perceptions of commitment and marital satisfaction, underscoring the need for gender-sensitive approaches when examining marital dynamics. These findings emphasize the importance of incorporating gender-focused perspectives in future research on marital sustainability. The model proposed in this study, which includes components such as interactive skills, value beliefs, institutional support, and economic status, offers a valuable framework for understanding marital sustainability in the context of Iranian society. This local model could serve as a foundation for future research in this area. It is recommended that educational programs for couples, particularly in areas such as communication skills, conflict resolution, and financial planning, be integrated into the agendas of cultural and social institutions. These programs could play a crucial role in improving marital quality. Furthermore, future studies should explore the influence of cultural and ethnic diversity within Iran, allowing for the development of more refined and contextually relevant models of marital sustainability.