Explaining Strategies for Passing Through Midlife Crisis: A Qualitative Study

Subject Areas : Clinical psychology

Masumeh Esmaeili ¹ , Fatemeh Ghaseminiaii ² , Kosar Dehdast ³

1 - PhD Associate Professor in Counselling Allameh Tabatabaei University
2 - MA in Counselling Allameh Tabatabaei University
3 - PhD Candidate in Counselling Allameh Tabatabaei University

Received: 2018-10-27 Accepted : 2018-10-27 Published : 2018-06-22

Keywords: Grounded theory, midlife crisis, strategies for passing the crisis,

Abstract :

he aim of this study was to explore strategies for passing through midlife crisis. Based on a qualitative approach and grounded theory methodology, the data were collected using theoretical sampling. In each step, according to the analysis of previous data, twenty middle-aged females and males who were volunteer to interview were selected. The results were presented based on coding, including “the core of the middle-aged crisis process formation” which involves assessing the life process and comparing it with personal and social standards. The consequences of midlife crisis were studied in three sections: Behavioral, cognitive and emotional. Passing through midlife crisis components were discussed with three strategies: effective personal constructs, kind of human look about individual capabilities, and achievements of life and midlife period. Eventually, underlying factors in the formation of efficient personal structures and the kind of human look in the process of passing the midlife crisis were explained in two categories: Religious coping strategies and selective and practical personality. Given the problems of middle-aged people, midlife period needs more attention from therapists and consultants. 

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