Behind the Scenes of Discrepancies in Parenting Styles: A Phenomenological Analysis of Parents' Lived Experiences

Articles in Press

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Ph.D. Candidate in Psychology, Department of Psychology, Faculty of Economic and Social Sciences, Bu-Ali Sina University, Hamedan, Iran

2 Professor, Department of Psychology, Faculty of Economic and Social Sciences, Bu-Ali Sina University, Hamadan, Iran

3 Associate Professor, Department of Psychology, Faculty of Economic and Social Sciences, Bu-Ali Sina University, Hamadan, Iran

10.48308/apsy.2026.242901.1952

Abstract

Aim: The family, as the fundamental unit of society, plays an irreplaceable role in shaping the personality and psychological well-being of future generations. However, achieving harmony in parenting styles between couples has always been challenging. Consequently, the aim of this study was to investigate parents' lived experiences regarding discrepancies in parenting styles.
 
Method: This research employed a qualitative methodology with a descriptive phenomenological approach. The study population consisted of all parents of first-grade elementary school students in District 5 of Tehran in 2025. Among them, 26 individuals (13 couples) were selected through convenience sampling, continuing until data saturation was achieved. Data were collected using the Parenting Styles Scale and semi-structured interviews. The collected data were analyzed through member checking, audit trail, and parallel coding.
 
Results: The analysis yielded 15 sub-themes and 5 main themes, including emotional-physical experiences of conflict, perception of the nature and sources of conflict, relational dynamics and interactional patterns, perceived consequences, and coping strategies and meaning-making.
 
Conclusion: The findings of this research not only provide insight and awareness into the experiences of discrepancies in parenting styles among couples but can also be utilized for planning interventions to address the problems and challenges faced by this group.

Keywords

Main Subjects

References

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Applied Psychology

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 15 May 2026

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