Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Department of Midwifery, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Qom University of Medical Sciences, Qom, Iran, and Nursing and Midwifery Care Research Center, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran

2 Nursing and Midwifery Care Research Center, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran

3 Department of Midwifery and Reproductive Health, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Marital satisfaction is a multidimensional phenomenon, which refers to
the quality of marital relationship, or the general view of marriage status and reflection of happiness
and marital performance. Repetition of certain positive behaviors can make a huge difference in
the success of continued married life, and that awareness of such behaviors seems to be critical to
recognizing certain warnings. Therefore, this study with qualitative approach conducted to promoting
long‑term marital satisfaction by exploring couple’s experiences.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was conducted using descriptive phenomenology method.
The participants were 12 person (six couples) with a history of 20–30 years of married life expectancy
and a marital satisfaction score of above 65. The data were collected by purposeful sampling and
semi‑structured interviews, analyzed using Colaizzi method. By categorizing the codes, subcategories,
and main categories were extracted.
RESULTS: An analysis of the experiences of the participants resulted in emergence of eight
subcategories, and three main categories: “Strong Foundation For Living Together,” “Mutual
Commitment To Protecting Marital Cohesion,” and “Striving To Improve Sexual Relations.”
CONCLUSIONS: A long‑term marriage associated with a variety of variables, including a strong
foundation for living together, a mutual commitment to protect marital cohesion, and an effort to
improve sexuality. And the results showed that the type of relationship will change during the years
after marriage in a way that takes on certain meanings and concepts and can be interpreted in
physiological, cultural and other specific contexts.

Keywords

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