Journal of Counseling Research

Aim: In some marital relationships, despite maintaining the structural stability of the family institution, the level of emotional and psychological satisfaction of the spouses remains minimal. This study examines the factors influencing women's persistence in stable yet dissatisfying marriages.Method: The present study employed a qualitative research design using a conventional content analysis approach. Data were collected through in-depth, semi-structured interviews with 13 women who had remained in their marriages for at least 20 years but were dissatisfied with their marital lives.Findings: The content analysis revealed that economic factors, children, family, cultural and social beliefs, individual personality traits, and spouse-related factors were the primary reasons for the continuation of these marriages. Financial dependence, concerns about the future of children, social pressures, lack of essential skills for independence, and positive behavioral changes in the spouse were among the key factors contributing to women's persistence in such conditions.Conclusion: The findings indicate that these factors interact in a complex manner to sustain marriages. Each factor is directly or indirectly interconnected with others, reinforcing their mutual influence. Therefore, any disruption or inadequate management of these domains (such as reduced financial support, lack of trust in children, or increased social pressures) can severely threaten marital stability, potentially leading to deeper crises or even divorce. Consequently, a comprehensive and simultaneous management approach to these factors is essential for maintaining stable marriages.