A satisfying marital relationship contributes to enhanced quality of life and psychological well-being (Faraou et al., 2019). Numerous factors influence the level of marital satisfaction. Among these, the relationship with the spouse's family of origin plays a vital yet often overlooked role in shaping marital dynamics. Tensions arising from interactions with the spouses' respective families of origin can lead to psychological distress, diminished intimacy, and chronic dissatisfaction. Conversely, perceived support from the families of origin serves to strengthen the marital bond and promote family cohesion (Bryant et al., 2001).



Despite the growing body of research on marital satisfaction and family systems, there remains a paucity of information regarding how the quality of couples' relationships with their families of origin evolves across different stages of the family life cycle. The transition through successive stages of the family life cycle—along with the developmental challenges and tasks inherent to each stage—constitutes a significant determinant of both marital satisfaction and broader family dynamics (Nematiet al., 2013). Given the natural influence of these developmental tasks on family functioning, the present qualitative study aims to explore the process of change in the relationship with the spouse's family of origin across different phases of the family life cycle, as perceived through the lived experiences of couples. Furthermore, we seek to identify adaptive, recurrent interactional patterns among maritally satisfied couples and their spouses' families at various stages of the family life cycle.