Exploring Multicultural Parenting in Iranian Ethnic Families: A Grounded Theory Based Qualitative Study

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Ph.D. in Psychology, Department of Psychology, Faculty of Literature & Humanities, University of Guilan, Rasht, Iran

2 Professor, Department of Psychology, Faculty of Literature & Humanities, University of Guilan, Rasht, Iran

3 Associate Professor, Department of Psychology, Faculty of Literature & Humanities, University of Guilan, Rasht, Iran

Abstract

Background: As the primary social structure, the family constitutes one of the most influential units in determining the life trajectories of individuals within any society. Parents, in order to provide effective care for their children, require specific knowledge, attitudes, and personal skills that are acquired through parenting education. Culture, as a unique set of beliefs and behaviors belonging to an ethnic group, shapes the ways in which parents care for their children. Systematic studies aimed at identifying the components of parenting particularly through qualitative approaches from the perspective of parents have received limited attention. Therefore, examining multicultural parenting practices among Iranian ethnic groups appears to be essential.
Aim: The objective of the present study was to examine multicultural parenting within the families of Iranian ethnic groups through the application of a grounded theory approach.
Method: This study adopted a qualitative, exploratory design grounded in the principles of grounded theory, following the methodological framework proposed by Strauss and Corbin (1990). The research population encompassed families from diverse Iranian ethnic groups. A purposive sampling strategy was employed, resulting in the participation of 28 parents representing four ethnic communities Lur, Kurd, Tork, and Gilak with seven individuals drawn from each group. Sampling continued until the point of theoretical saturation was achieved. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews developed by the researchers, each lasting approximately 60 to 90 minutes. The data were subsequently analyzed using Atlas.ti software, version 9.
Results: Data coding yielded four overarching categories: parent-oriented causes, child-oriented causes, parent-oriented contexts, and child-oriented contexts. These categories were further delineated into 20 subcategories and 247 distinct concepts. To enhance the rigor and trustworthiness of the findings specifically with regard to credibility, transferability, and confirmability techniques such as member checking, triangulation through parallel information, and researcher self-reflection were systematically applied.
Conclusions: Effective parenting in the contemporary era requires awareness of both the causal and contextual conditions that facilitate it. The findings of this study offer theoretical implications for the development and validation of a culturally adapted parenting package in line with the present results. In addition, they provide practical applications by informing counseling strategies aimed at enhancing parental skills in today’s world.

Keywords

Main Subjects

References

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History

  • Receive Date: 29 June 2025
  • Revise Date: 16 August 2025
  • Accept Date: 06 September 2025

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