A Qualitative Study of the Impact of Spousal Death on Changed Parenting Practices of Iranian SingleParent Widows
نویسندگان
1 Nursing and Midwifery School, Social Development and Health Promotion Research Center, Gonabad University of Medical Sciences, Gonabad, Khorasan Razavi
2 Nursing and Midwifery School, Islamic Azad University, Khorasgan Branch, Isfahan
3 Tarbiat Modares University of Medical Sciences, Tehran
4 School of Nursing and Midwifery, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
doi
چکیده
Background: While it is expected, different causes to decision making accept parenting responsibility and parenting style based on the single parenthood occurs as a result death of the spouse, it has not been clearly articulated. Therefore, we explored the parenting experiences of Iranian single-parent widows who keep custody of their children after their spouses die.Method: In this descriptive, exploratory study in-depth interviews were held with 24 Iranian single-parent widows. The data generated were analyzed using the constant comparative method.Result: Preliminary results indicated four main thematic categories: (a) development of a paradoxical identity: a hopeless widow vs. a hopeful mother, (b) submerging self in custody role vs. staying from widow role, (c) sentimental parenting and, (d) paradoxical evaluation: fruitful for children vs. fruitless for self.Conclusion: The results indicate that single-parenting after the death of the spouse is a difficult experience.Sentimental parenting practices, related to maladjustment with spousal death and roles transformation is a risk for the health of widow-single parents, so they need to be supported by health care delivery and social welfare systems to cope with their life after spousal death.
