Providing a Preliminary Model of the Formation Process of Attitude toward Marriage: Native qualitative study

Attitude toward marriage is a cognitive phenomenon that has a considerable influence on willingness to marry, age and stability of marriage. Given that there have been no studies on explaining how the attitudes toward marriage are formed in the country, this paper aims at explaining and providing a preliminary native model of the process. This paper reports a qualitative study, using the grounded theory conducted in 2014-15. The purposive sample consisted of married students of Shahid Chamran University, Ahvaz. After the initial classes and codes have been emerged, the sampling procedure changed into a theoretical one which continued until saturation of the data and completion of the theory was reached. 18 students, with an average age of 30, participated in this study. The semi- structured interviews were conducted to gather the data. Data analysis was carried out using Strauss and Corbin’s three-step coding model (open, axial, selective) in which the theoretical model was provided by comparing the data and integrating the similar codes. The results of analyzing the data and finding relations between them in a paradigmatic model are as follows: “the relative change in attitudes toward marriage” was the central class in the process of the data, which relates other categories as well as justifying the basic psycho-social processes. The classes of socio-cultural factors , early experiences and observing incomplete model are the causal conditions in this model. Also, three classes of awareness of and understanding each other; material and spiritual support, and realizing the sanctity of marriage are considered the intervening conditions. Finally, pressures for marriage, interference of parents, intergenerational transmission, as well as economic factors are regarded as grounded conditions. While proper coping strategies constitute the interactive actions, perceived personal development and willingness to marry,ambivalence toward deciding to marry and postponing marriage are provided as the consequences of this paradigmatic model. All these classes are related to one another through the central class identified in this study. In this study, changing attitudes towards marriage is a fundamental factor in encouraging young people to marry, which can be implemented by following a systematic approach (general scheme). Promoting successful Patterns of marriage in society, moral and material support by parents, teaching coping strategies commensurate with the challenges of marriage, increasing marriage preparation skills, and government support in forming counseling units run by committed and professional family psychologists and counselors are key items in this approach.