Explaining the experiences of female-headed households covered by the Imam Khomeini Relief Committee: the results of a phenomenological study

Female-headed households are one of the socially vulnerable groups, since the number of them is on the rise due to the increase in divorce rates, social crimes, or addiction rate. Considering the vulnerability of this group, the purpose of this study is to explain the experiences of female-headed households covered by the Imam Khomeini Relief Committee.

The present study is a qualitative phenomenological study that was conducted in 2018. To collect data, semi-structured interviews with open-ended questions about life experience as a  female-headed household were used. The interviews were conducted in the Imam Khomeini Relief Committee center in Behshahr city. Sampling continued purposefully until data saturation was achieved with the participation of 10 participants. The recorded interview was written down line by line and analyzed according to Collaizi's descriptive phenomenological approach. Lincoln and Guba's criteria were used for the strength of the study.

From the data analysis, two main concepts including "change in normal life routine" and "problems of managing life" and four sub-concepts including "change in the role and feeling of the parent", "life progress"," loneliness"  and "worried about the future of children " were extracted.

Considering the mentioned results and especially the basic concerns of female-headed household, it is necessary to take steps toward redusing problems of this group of society through the psycho-social empowerment programs.