A Phenomenological Investigation of Women's Interpretation of Life after Divorce

In recent years the number of divorces and the reference of divorced women to welfare organizations has increased. This research was done to investigate divorced women's interpretation of their post-divorced life. 

Methods and Data: 

Required data was gathered through in-depth interviews with 14 divorced women. Data analysis was done based on an abductive research strategy using interpretative phenomenology. 

The research findings show that the situation of divorced women is affected by two main interpretations: their own interpretation and the interpretation of society and those around them. Based on these interpretation resources, three main themes were detected: Freedom feeling, double dominatedness and repeated apprehension after divorce. Women are under the control of patriarchal values during their life after divorce, just like during their married life, and even their freedom feeling carries it. Therefore, the others' controls impact the various layers of their life, and they are frequently apprehended. 

The thematic network shows cultural structures, especially patriarchal values have more effects on the interpretations. So, in order to manage situations and challenges, it is necessary to direct research orientations towards a deeper understanding of them.

 Key Message:

 The most important point about these women is the lack of two skills that have led to negative experiences in them: communication and problem-solving skills and independent earning skills. Therefore, it is necessary to plan some programs to empower women for those skills.