Factors that influence marital intimacy: A qualitative analysis of iranian married couples

Abstract Intimacy is a key factor contributing to marriage satisfaction, marriage quality, marriage stability, and marriage functioning. Despite significant attention on marital intimacy, the focus of most research has either centered on the functions of marital intimacy or aspects of the construct in marriage satisfaction. Factors that influence couple intimacy are largely overlooked. Existing studies mainly have used cross-sectional survey data. Very little exists on intimacy factors in non-western cultures. No previous research has explored intimacy through the lens of intimate couples. Therefore, this qualitative study is an attempt to investigate factors that enhance the marital intimacy of Iranian couples and introduce culture-sensitive factors. Using criterion-based purposive sampling, 14 females and males (i.e., seven intimate couples) were selected to participate in the present study, and the consensual qualitative research method was utilized to analyze data from the semi-structured interviews and personal diaries. Results demonstrated that factors enhancing marital intimacy were (i) family, (ii) shared time/length of marital relationship, (iii) reciprocity in self-sacrifice (iv) gratitude (v) new shared activity, (vi) parenthood, (vii) joint social networks, and (viii) religion. This study underlines the importance of two new factors, self-sacrifice and gratitude in Iranian collectivism culture. Using the findings, the implications for developers of marital enrichment programs, marital counselors, and clinicians are discussed.