Cohabitation and relationship stability: Understanding the challenges and adaptive strategies of unmarried couples

Lee, Celeste Xin Rou and Leong, Qiao Yi (2025) Cohabitation and relationship stability: Understanding the challenges and adaptive strategies of unmarried couples. Final Year Project, UTAR.

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Abstract

In Malaysia, unmarried cohabitation is increasingly common, but limited research has been done on how couples deal with this arrangement in a society shaped by cultural and religious norms. This qualitative phenomenological study aimed to explore the challenges and adaptive strategies towards challenges that faced by unmarried couples during cohabitation, as well as how they affect their relationship stability. The interviews were conducted online through Microsoft Teams platform and open-ended questions were asked during the interview. There were a total of eight individuals which formed four couples and the age range of the participants were from 20 to 30. The participants were all Chinese Malaysian and had cohabitated for at least six months. Thematic analysis was used to capture the essence of participants’ experiences and generate themes according to the research objective. The findings discovered a few themes which were adjustment to living habits, external pressures, financial tension, enhanced relationship understanding through cohabitation, strained relationship, collaborative maintenance of household and relationship, conflict resolution and negotiating societal and familial perspectives. The challenges faced by unmarried cohabiting couples caused stress, frequent arguments and doubts about the relationship which will affect relationship stability. The findings of this study showed that unmarried cohabiting couples in Malaysia need to deal with a combination of personal, cultural and financial stressors. This research brings significant practical implications for implementing relationship modules, developing awareness campaigns and educational seminars and gaining insights into potential challenges in the future by reflecting on the live experiences of other unmarried cohabiting couples.

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