A qualitative inquiry on the emotional negotiation and relationship pattern among remarried Thiyya women in Kerala

Remarriage is an important yet understudied family transition in India, particularly among culturally distinct communities. This study explores the processes of emotional negotiation and evolving relationship patterns among remarried women in the Thiyya community of Kerala, South India, with particular attention to understand the familial dynamics in Thiyya household. An exploratory qualitative design was employed. In-depth interviews were conducted with 10 remarried women from the Thiyya community. Data were analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis to identify recurring patterns related to emotional experiences, family relationships, and adaptation processes. The findings reveal that remarriage involves continuous emotional negotiation as women navigate past experiences, establish trust within new marital relationships, and adapt to changing family structures. Participants described emotional adaptation, resilience-building, and the negotiation of new family relationships. While remarriage fostered a renewed sense of belonging, companionship, emotional security, and financial stability, women also encountered challenges related to role ambiguity, emotional balancing, loyalty conflicts, and stepfamily integration. These relationship patterns were shaped by ongoing efforts to maintain family harmony while responding to social expectations and gendered responsibilities. This study contributes to the limited literature on remarriage in India by highlighting how emotional negotiation shapes relationship formation and family reconstitution among remarried Thiyya women. The findings suggest that relationship dynamics in remarried families are fluid and context-dependent, requiring adaptations that extend beyond existing stepfamily integration theories. The study underscores the importance of understanding remarriage within its socio-cultural context and offers insights into the experiences of women navigating family transitions in contemporary South India.