A Qualitative Exploration of Intrapsychic and Interpersonal Predictors of Long-Term Marital Adjustment

Abstract

This study aimed to explore the intrapsychic and interpersonal predictors that contribute to long-term marital adjustment among married individuals in Iraq. A qualitative research design using a thematic analysis approach was employed to capture the complex psychological and relational processes underlying marital adjustment. Data were collected through semi-structured, in-depth interviews with 21 married participants (12 women and 9 men) who had been in marital relationships for a minimum of ten years. Participants were recruited using purposive sampling from various regions in Iraq, ensuring diversity in age, education, and socioeconomic background. Interviews were conducted until theoretical saturation was reached and were transcribed verbatim for analysis. NVivo software was used to manage and code the data systematically, and an inductive approach guided the identification of themes and subthemes. Four overarching themes emerged from the data: (1) Intrapsychic Regulation, including emotional self-awareness, cognitive flexibility, and personal value alignment; (2) Interpersonal Communication, including empathy, conflict resolution, and emotional expression; (3) Shared Meaning and Relational Identity, encompassing couple rituals, “we-ness,” and joint meaning-making; and (4) External and Contextual Influences, such as economic pressures, extended family dynamics, cultural expectations, and technological interference. Participants consistently emphasized the interplay between psychological resilience, communication quality, and sociocultural context in shaping marital endurance and satisfaction. The study highlights that long-term marital adjustment is a multidimensional process shaped by internal psychological capacities, dyadic relational practices, and broader cultural and structural factors. Findings underscore the importance of culturally grounded interventions that enhance emotional regulation, mutual understanding, and shared meaning-making in marital relationships, particularly in transitional or post-conflict societies like Iraq.