Divorce Adjustment:Reflection on Divorced Womens’s Lived Experience of Divorce Adjustment

Subject Areas : Quarterly Journal of Woman and Society

Soheila Bastani ¹ (Ph.D. Student, Department of Counseling, Ahvaz Branch, Islamic Azad University, Ahvaz, Iran.)
Maryam Golamzadeh jofreh ² (Assistant professor, Department of Counseling, Ahvaz Branch, Islamic Azad University, Ahvaz,)
Mansour Sodani ³ (professor, Department of Counseling, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran.)

Received: 2023-01-15 Accepted : 2023-07-29 Published : 2023-07-23

Keywords: Women, Divorce, adjustment to divorce,

Abstract :

Introduction: This study aimed to investigate the lived experiences of divorced women in adjusting to divorce.
Methods: The qualitative research method of phenomenology was used in this study. The statistical population included divorced women in Shiraz in 2019-2020. Purposive sampling was used to select the participants. Finally, ten divorced women were selected using semi-structured interviews and theoretical saturation. All interviews were recorded and analyzed using the thematic analysis method.
Results: The results of the qualitative data analysis revealed the main themes and 12 sub-themes. The main themes were 1) family as an effective source in achieving adjustment, 2) individual resilience, and 3) social resilience. The theme of family as an effective source in achieving adjustment included the two sub-themes: emotional support, material support, and the individual resilience theme comprised the five sub-themes of mourning, spirituality, accepting divorce, moving towards excellence, and controlling emotions. The theme of social growth included the three sub-themes of social communication management, economic stability, and job consolidation. The findings of this study indicate the need for thorough attention to the issues of divorced women after divorce and effective measures to empower them to achieve post-divorce adjustment.

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