Post Traumatic Growth Model in Divorced Women

Divorce can be one of the most stressful events in human life; however, some people can experience constructive and permanent changes after this event. Some individuals can grow when they encounter a trauma reaching high levels of personality performance even beyond the past. Posttraumatic growth refers to positive changes in life that resulted from traumatic events. The phenomenon of post–traumatic growth has some important adaptive values for the person involved. The purpose of this study was to provide a model for post–traumatic growth in divorced women. One of the important issues facing a divorced person is how to deal with the new situation, accepting it and even using it to promote personal growth. In this research, some of the issues related to acceptance and growth after divorce were studied. It is hoped that investigating the course of posttraumatic growth in divorced women could cast light on the main problems these women have encountered and the methods and strategies they have used to improve their mental health and quality of life. According to the high rate of family collapse in Iran and all around the globe, promoting “divorce hygiene” is an unneglectable necessity for all social welfare organizations and professionals. The main purpose of this research is achieving a qualitative and native model for Iranian divorced women covering a vast range of effective factors in post–traumatic growth.

The present study was carried out using qualitative method and grounded theory. Based on theoretical sampling and purposeful sampling method, 20 volunteered divorced women were selected according to these criteria: 1. At least 3 years have elapsed since the divorce sentences passed in these women. 2. The person has experienced the painful consequences of divorce, according to her report. 3. Divorced women should not have a history of mental disorder or severe emotional problems divorce. 4. Based on the Tedeschi and Calhoun) 1996), divorced women were scored high and very high and believe that divorce has somehow contributed to their growth. Post–trauma growth inventory (PTGI) (an instrument for assessing positive outcomes) reported by persons who have experienced traumatic events. This 21–item scale includes factors of new possibilities, relating to others, personal strength, spiritual change, and appreciation of life. Data were gathered through semi–structured interviews. The criterion for ending sampling and data gathering process was theoretical saturation– the point at which collecting new information seems to be redundant. After interviewing 18 participants, theoretical saturation was reached and to ensure, two extra interviews were carried out. Data were analyzed based on Strauss and Corbin's continuous comparative method in which a three–step process of coding, open coding, axial coding, and selective coding were used. Initially, the audio file of recorded interviews was transcribed into text and the text was read several times, and the concepts and categories were identified – the open coding. In the second step, the axial coding, the categories and subcategories obtained from the previous step were related to each other and the major classes of categories were developed. In the third and final step, integration and refinement of the categories was carried out, the central category was identified, and a model for post–traumatic growth in divorced women was proposed.

Open coding were resulted in 16 categories which then processed distributed through axial coding into causal and intervening conditions, strategies, context and consequences. The central category for the post–traumatic growth model proposed in this research was “individuation and transcendence”. Accepting divorce and moving forward despite her suffering, were identified as causal conditions. For intervening conditions, family factors, earlier factors, children as motivations, psychological hardiness and an exposure–based approach toward new situations, were extracted. For strategies, independent active participation, inter–gender role management, the use of environmental potentials, and intelligent socialization were extracted. In addition, they use strategies such as finding specialized helping, focusing on job and continuing education and using problem solving skills. A somehow personally based spirituality was found as context. Finally, the consequences of the central category were expanding views and experiences, and being more flexible in thoughts and behaviors. 

Based on the findings of the present study, divorce as a traumatic event can have constructive aspects and lead to individuation, transcendence, and personal growth. These finding can be used for promoting divorce hygiene.