CULTURAL TRANSFORMATION, AVOIDANT COPING, AND THE DECLINE OF FAMILY COHESION IN PAKISTAN: A GROUNDED THEORY PERSPECTIVE

Abstract

Culture is a dynamic force that changes gradually over the course time and while doing so it affects social institutions and individual minds which reciprocally affect culture. Pakistan is experiencing a rapid cultural shift particularly in recent years due to political, social, economic, and global influences. While these changes are noted, there is little research on psychological effects of these changes or how different generations view and respond to them. This study fills the gap by looking at cultural perceptions, psychological effects, and coping methods in Pakistan. Methodology included Grounded Theory approach to gather insights from participants. The data was collected in two parts. Firstly, it was collected using an online questionnaire, the results showed that 95% of participants recognized cultural change, and 92.75% viewed it negatively. Secondly, semi-structured interviews were conducted using convenience sampling technique. Participants were recruited from three age groups: older adults (60 years and above), middle-aged adults (40-60 years), and young adults (18-40 years). The grounded theory analysis used constant comparative methods, enabling open, selective, and theoretical coding to create a framework for understanding cultural change. The results indicated that amid cultural transformation, both intra- and intergenerational conflicts are increasing. These conflicts have led to poor coping strategies such as interaction avoidance and reduced communication among family members. Consequently, family structures are showing signs of disintegration, which is significant as the family is the primary source of cultural transmission. This points to a bidirectional impact where cultural change influences family dynamics, and weakened family structures, in turn, accelerate cultural disruption. Furthermore, the findings suggest that the younger population is experiencing an unstable sense of cultural identity.