نوع مقاله : مقاله پژوهشی
عنوان مقاله English
نویسندگان English
Introduction: While stressful life events are typically associated with negative outcomes, such as psychological distress and mental health disorders—including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)—emerging research suggests that these experiences may also foster resilience and provide unique opportunities for personal growth. The concept of Post-Traumatic Growth (PTG) refers to the positive psychological changes that occur as a result of struggling with highly challenging life circumstances.
Method: In light of the existing research gap regarding the positive effects of divorce on women, this study aimed to explore the factors contributing to post-divorce growth among divorced women. Employing a phenomenological research design, the study sample consisted of women who self-reported experiences of personal growth and scored at least two standard deviations above the mean on the Post-Traumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI), developed by Tedeschi and Calhoun. Participants had been divorced for at least three years by 2023. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews, and theoretical saturation was reached after interviewing 15 participants. Purposeful sampling was employed, and the data were analyzed using Colaizzi’s seven-step method.
Results: The analysis of the interviews resulted in the extraction of 18 subcategories and five overarching themes. These themes were: (1) personal development and transformation, (2) social growth, (3) attainment of independence, (4) shifts in attitudes and perspectives, and (5) enhanced self-care practices.
Discussion and Conclusion: The findings indicate that, following the acceptance and processing of the distress associated with divorce, women can achieve significant post-divorce growth and flourishing over time. This growth is mediated by both internal and external factors, including religious beliefs, family support, personality traits, and the adoption of growth-oriented strategies such as crisis management, problem-solving skills, interpersonal relationship management, self-care practices, and the utilization of environmental resources. These results provide valuable insights for policymakers and practitioners working in the fields of women's welfare and family support services.
کلیدواژهها English
19 .Szafranski, M. A. Promoting Post-Divorce Growth: A Guide for Therapists. WW Norton & Company, 2022.