Seeking Comfort: Women Mental Health Process in I. R. Iran: A Grounded Theory Study

Background: Psychosocial factor is considered as intermediate social determinant of health, because it has powerful effects on health especially in women. Hence deeper understanding of the mental‑health process needed for its promotion. The aim of this study was to explore women’s experience of the mental‑health problem and related action‑interactions activities to design the appropriate interventions. Methods: In‑depth interviews with women 18‑65 years were analyzed according to the grounded theory method. The selection of Participants was based on purposeful and theoretical sampling. Results: In this study, a substantive theory was generated; explaining how female with the mental‑health problem handled their main concern, which was identified as their effort to achieve comfort (core variable). The other six categories are elements in this process. Daily stress as a trigger, satisfaction is the end point, marriage is the key point and action – interaction activities in this process are strengthening human essence, Developing life skills and help seeking. Conclusions: Better understanding the mental‑health process might be useful to design the interventional program among women with mental‑health problems.