Joint Family System and Its Impact on Marital Conflict and Decision-Making Autonomy: Mediated by Perceived In-Laws’ Influence in Rural Pakistan

This study explored how the joint family system affects marital conflict and decision-making autonomy, with perceived in-laws’ influence as a mediating factor. In Pakistan's collectivist culture, extended families often play a key role in shaping marital dynamics, particularly in rural areas where traditional structures are more prominent. Grounded in Bowen's Family Systems Theory, the study surveyed 773 married women residing in rural Bhakkar, Punjab, using self-report measures to assess joint family structure, perceived in-laws’ influence, marital conflict, and decision-making autonomy. Results from structural equation modeling and mediation analysis revealed that living in a joint family was significantly associated with increased marital conflict and reduced autonomy in household decisions. Perceived in-laws’ influence strongly mediated these relationships, accounting for a substantial portion of the effects. These findings underscore how traditional family hierarchies shape women's marital experiences and emphasize the influential role of in-laws in determining relational outcomes within joint family systems.