Mother-and daughter-in-law relationship within a south african context: Influence of family systems: Influence of family systems

© 2017 Africa Scholarship Development Enterprize. This study explored family system influences on mother-in-law and daughter-in-law relationships in a South African setting . A convenience sample of 20 mothers-in-law (age range from 40 to 86) and 20 daughters-in-law (age range from 20 to 60) were informants . They had been in a mother-and daughter-in-law relationship for at least six months . The participants completed open-ended interviews on their relational experiences in the context of family . Data were analysed applying Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) . Five family system relational context themes emerged: positive mother-and daughter-in-law relationship, conflicted the mother-son relationship, historic experience of the mother-in-law with her own mother-in-law, and partnership in upbringing of grandchildren .