Parenting Through Conflict: Lived Experiences of Couples in High-Stress Family Systems

Abstract

This study aimed to explore the lived experiences of couples parenting within high-stress, high-conflict family systems. A qualitative research design using a phenomenological approach was employed to investigate how couples navigate parenting amid ongoing relational conflict. Data were collected through semi-structured, in-depth interviews with 29 participants from Pakistan who were actively parenting in the context of sustained familial or interpersonal stress. Participants were selected through purposive sampling to ensure relevance and diversity in marital duration, number of children, and socioeconomic background. Interviews were conducted until theoretical saturation was reached and were transcribed verbatim for analysis. Data were analyzed thematically using NVivo software, following a multi-stage coding process that included open coding, axial coding, and theme development. Thematic analysis revealed three overarching categories: Emotional Strain and Coping, Parenting Under Pressure, and Relational Shifts and Communication. Participants reported high levels of anxiety, emotional exhaustion, and self-blame, along with a mixture of adaptive and maladaptive coping strategies. Parenting roles were often disrupted by conflict, leading to inconsistency, irritability, and attempts at protective parenting. Couples also experienced relational distancing, communication breakdowns, and intermittent efforts at reconnection. Some participants engaged in spiritual practices or sought external mediation through community or religious figures to manage conflict. Despite high levels of strain, a number of parents maintained functional co-parenting practices centered on their children's well-being. Parenting in high-conflict family systems is marked by emotional distress, role ambiguity, and compromised communication, yet many couples exhibit resilience through culturally embedded coping strategies and intentional parenting efforts. These findings highlight the need for culturally sensitive interventions and support systems tailored to parents navigating chronic relational stress.