Introduction: This study examines the impact of the extent of cyberspace usage on family stability among married women in Yasuj. Cyberspace, as one of the prominent phenomena of the technological era, is rapidly reshaping the social, cultural, and economic dimensions of contemporary societies. With the expansion of the internet and social media networks, the use of cyberspace has not only permeated various aspects of everyday life but has also exerted wide-ranging influences on personal, familial, and social relationships. Among these effects, the impact of cyberspace on the family structure—particularly on the stability of family relationships—is of considerable importance.
The family, as the fundamental unit of society, plays a decisive role in the social, cultural, and psychological development of individuals. Any change or threat to the foundations of the family may lead to long-term and potentially irreversible consequences for society as a whole. Therefore, understanding the impact of cyberspace on family stability, especially within specific social groups such as married women, is essential. In this context, cyberspace use has two distinct dimensions: on the one hand, its positive aspects facilitate social communication, promote education, and enhance individual skills; on the other hand, its negative aspects—particularly when use is excessive or inappropriate—can weaken family relationships, reduce emotional interactions, and, in some cases, lead to psychological and social problems. Consequently, examining both the extent and the type of cyberspace use and their effects on family stability among married women is of particular significance.
The theoretical foundations of this research suggest that cyberspace, as a new technology, can function both as a tool for strengthening family relationships and as a factor contributing to reduced cohesion and stability. Its effects depend on variables such as the extent and type of use, the stage of the family life cycle, and the capacity of family members to manage and regulate their engagement with this technology. The application of theoretical perspectives such as family cohesion theory, uses and gratifications theory, family life cycle theory, family systems theory, and attachment theory provides a robust framework for analyzing the relationship between cyberspace use and family stability.
This research aims to examine the extent of cyberspace use and its impact on family stability among married women in Yasuj. The objective is to identify various dimensions of cyberspace use and assess their effects on family relationships and overall family stability, while also proposing strategies for appropriate use that may strengthen family ties. Data were collected using a survey method, and a questionnaire was designed to measure both the extent of cyberspace use and levels of family stability. The questionnaire included items related to different dimensions of cyberspace usage (such as communication, education, and entertainment) and their effects on family interactions, emotional relationships, and social exchanges within the family. The study sample consisted of 400 married women residing in Yasuj. Data analysis was conducted using SmartPLS 3 software and structural equation modeling (SEM).
Cyberspace, not only as a communication tool but also as a cultural and social platform, exerts complex effects on the family lives of married women. In this study, family stability is defined as the maintenance of strong emotional and social relationships among family members, along with the absence of major crises in marital life. Accordingly, this research investigates whether excessive use of cyberspace poses a threat to family stability or, conversely, whether it can enhance intra-family communication and interactions.
The data analysis revealed the following:
• Cyberspace usage has a generally positive and significant impact on family stability.
• The most significant positive effect on family stability is associated with the communicative use of cyberspace, particularly for maintaining connections and strengthening family relationships.
• In contrast, the use of cyberspace for entertainment purposes (such as watching movies and playing online games) demonstrates more negative effects on family stability.
• Additionally, the findings indicate that educational level plays an important role in shaping patterns of cyberspace use and its impact on family stability. Women with higher levels of education tend to use cyberspace in more constructive and beneficial ways.
• Contrary to expectations, no significant relationship was observed between age and family stability.
Overall, the optimal use of cyberspace—particularly for communication and educational purposes—can contribute to strengthening family relationships and enhancing family stability. However, excessive or improper use of cyberspace, especially for individual entertainment without a clear purpose, may have detrimental effects on family relationships and stability. These findings highlight the need for increased attention to both the type and extent of cyberspace use among married women in order to maximize its benefits and minimize potential harms. Accordingly, policymakers and family counselors are encouraged to raise awareness and promote informed and responsible use of cyberspace as a means of supporting family stability.