نشریه علمی پژوهشی طب انتظامی Journal of Police Medicine
Volume 14, Issue 1 (2025)
J Police Med 2025, 14(1) |
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Ethics code: IR.IAU.LIAU.REC.1402.062
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Edalat S A, Zarbakhshbahri M, Rahimaghaee F. An Exploration and Interpretation of Married Women’s Experiences of Their Role in Spousal Addiction Relapse: A Qualitative Study. , J Police Med. 2025; 14 (1) : e12
URL: http://jpmed.ir/article-1-1342-en.html
URL: http://jpmed.ir/article-1-1342-en.html
1- Islamic Azad University, Department of Psychology, To.C., Islamic Azad University, Tonekabon, Iran
2- Islamic Azad University ,M.zarbakhsh@iau.ac.ir
3- Islamic Azad University, Department of Nursing, To.C., Islamic Azad University, Tonekabon, Iran
2- Islamic Azad University ,
3- Islamic Azad University, Department of Nursing, To.C., Islamic Azad University, Tonekabon, Iran
English Extended Abstract: (27 Views)
Background and Objective: Spousal addiction relapse is one of the major challenges faced by families affected by substance use disorders. The present study aimed to explore and explain women’s experiences regarding their perceived role in the process of their husbands’ addiction and subsequent relapse.
Methods: This qualitative study was conducted in 1404 (2025–2026) in Tonekabon using a conventional content analysis approach. Participants included 15 women with a history of marital life with men diagnosed with substance use disorder, whose husbands had experienced at least one treatment attempt followed by relapse. Participants were selected through purposive sampling with consideration of experiential diversity. Sampling was terminated after the 14th and 15th interviews due to repetition of concepts, the emergence of no new codes, and achievement of data saturation. Data were collected through in-depth semi-structured interviews and analyzed using Graneheim and Lundman’s five-step content analysis method.
Results: Data analysis resulted in the identification of five main themes: ineffective actions arising from lack of awareness, protective passivity, helplessness-related anger, rescuing empathy, and unstable post-treatment management.
Conclusion: Women’s experiences in confronting their husbands’ addiction relapse encompass a continuum ranging from ineffective responses to empathic supportive behaviors. Education and empowerment programs for wives may play an important role in reducing relapse-related factors and enhancing the effectiveness of addiction treatment
Methods: This qualitative study was conducted in 1404 (2025–2026) in Tonekabon using a conventional content analysis approach. Participants included 15 women with a history of marital life with men diagnosed with substance use disorder, whose husbands had experienced at least one treatment attempt followed by relapse. Participants were selected through purposive sampling with consideration of experiential diversity. Sampling was terminated after the 14th and 15th interviews due to repetition of concepts, the emergence of no new codes, and achievement of data saturation. Data were collected through in-depth semi-structured interviews and analyzed using Graneheim and Lundman’s five-step content analysis method.
Results: Data analysis resulted in the identification of five main themes: ineffective actions arising from lack of awareness, protective passivity, helplessness-related anger, rescuing empathy, and unstable post-treatment management.
Conclusion: Women’s experiences in confronting their husbands’ addiction relapse encompass a continuum ranging from ineffective responses to empathic supportive behaviors. Education and empowerment programs for wives may play an important role in reducing relapse-related factors and enhancing the effectiveness of addiction treatment
- Ineffective actions stemming from lack of awareness, including maladaptive self-sacrifice and unsuccessful efforts.
- Protective passivity, including concealment to preserve social appearance, fear-based passivity, outsourcing responsibility, and diminished sense of agency.
- Helplessness-related anger, including emotional outbursts arising from desperation, accumulated anger, and reactive aggression.
- Rescuing empathy, including emotional support and interpersonal empathy, as well as expansion of the social support network.
- Unstable post-cessation management, including pressure to rescue the spouse and premature disengagement.
Article number: e12
Article Type: Original Research |
Subject:
Police Related Psychology
Received: 2025/12/28 | Accepted: 2026/07/19 | Published: 2026/10/27
Received: 2025/12/28 | Accepted: 2026/07/19 | Published: 2026/10/27
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