Mate Selection in People with Physical-Motor Disabilities in Borujen: Goals, Criteria and Challenges; A Phenomenological Study

The present qualitative study tries to ascertain the goals, criteria and challenges of spouse selection in people with physical-motor disabilities in Borujen in a phenomenological way. For this purpose, a semi-structured interview was conducted with fourteen single people with physical-motor disabilities in Borujen`s well-being center. The obtained data were analyzed by Claizzi`s method. Six main categories  (purpose of marriage, criteria of choosing a spouse, marriage related concerns, weak family awareness, social stigma and lack of support resources), 22 Sub-themes (Satisfying sexual needs, escape from annoying family situations, a path to security at the face of an uncertain future, getting rid of the feeling of emptiness compared to married siblings, the physical condition of the future spouse, suitable age of the spouse, permanent marriage, having the power of understanding and empathy and having honesty, fear of being abandoned by the spouse, giving birth to a disabled child, non-acceptance from the spouse's family, worrying about not being able to meet the material needs of the spouse, denial of disability, creating obstacles and neglecting the necessity of marriage by family, not believing in the disabled child's ability, fear of the disabled child remaining single, the society's negative view, lack of government support, temporary employment, lack of employment or job compatibility with physical condition) themes were was extracted.