Women's Addiction from a Societal Perspective: A Qualitative Study
Subject Areas : Woman and SocietyNeda Fayazi 1 , Tahereh Ashktorab 2 * , Naimeh Seyedfatemi 3
1 - Nursing, Department of Nursing, TeMS.C., Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.
2 - Professor, Department of Nursing, TeMS.C., Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
3 - Geriatric Mental Health Research Center, Nursing and Midwifery Care Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Keywords: Society, women, addiction, content analysis,
Abstract :
Introduction: Considering the rising statistics of women's addiction and the extensive role of women in the centrality and stability of the family, the aim of the above study was to examine the lived experiences of Iranian women with substance abuse from a societal perspective to understand the community's perception of women's addiction, which can facilitate the planning of needs, control, and treatment in this area.
Methods: This study was conducted using a qualitative content analysis approach of a conventional or normative type through semi-structured interviews. The participants were 16 current and former female drug users who were selected through purposive and snowball sampling methods. The setting for this study included social harm centers in Tehran and the city of Saveh, as well as environments such as parks and residential homes.
Findings: Based on the analysis of interviews using conventional content analysis, themes " Addiction and societal beliefs" (including: the non-attachment of addiction to specific individuals, the social stigma of addiction, and Spectrum of feedback on women's addiction) and "addicted women: judgment and social rejection" (including: the differences in gender perspectives in society and the changing behavior of society towards women who use substances) were extracted.
Discussion and Conclusion: Society's perceptions of women's addiction were negative or different from reality. Using above findings, efforts can be made to reduce stigma through cultural change at the community level by media, increasing treatment centers, establishing support institutions for employment of these women, and developing preventive programs in various dimensions for optimal planning.
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