ARTICLE INFO

Article Type

Qualitative Study

Authors

Abedi   H.A. (1)
Naseri   F. (2)
Alimohammadi   N. (*)
Salehi   Sh. (1)






(*) “Nursing & Midwifery Care Research Center” and “Critical Nursing Department", Nursing & Midwifery Faculty”, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
(1) Nursing Department, Nursing & Midwifery Faculty, Islamic Azad University, Khorasgan Branch, Isfahan, Iran
(2) Nursing & Midwifery Faculty, Khorasgan Branch,Islamic Azad University, Isfahan, Iran

Correspondence

Address: Critical Nursing, Department, Nursing and Midwifery Faculty, Hezarjerib Street, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
Phone: +983136699398
Fax: +983136699398
alimohammadi@nm.mui.ac.ir

Article History

Received:  December  21, 2015
Accepted:  February 27, 2016
ePublished:  April 3, 2016

BRIEF TEXT


Chemical gases, polluting chemicals and toxins that are used as weapons, are classified in to damaging tissue factors due to the unpredictable effects of mass destruction [1].

… [2-9]. Considering the approach of empowering and strengthening of informed, learned and purposeful decision, will increase self-care and health promotion [10, 11]. ... [12]. Spouses are usually the first ones who act as a supportive source in times of crisis [13].

This study aimed to investigate the wives experiences in empowerment of their chemical victim husbands.

This study is qualitative.

The study was done in 2012 over 11 wives of the chemical victims who had medical records in The Esfahan Foundation of Martyrs and Veterans Affairs and were living with their wives.

The samples were selected by using purposive sampling.

In order to collect data, deep and semi-structured interviews were used. The researcher at first raised an open question (explain your experiences about supporting and caring your husband since the injury so far), and during the interview based on participants` conditions and statements or while writing and listening to them, some questions were asked. In addition, more questions were raised for subsequent interviews. Each interview lasted between 40 and 60 minutes. The interviews continued until data saturation was achieved. … [14-15]. The method that was used for analysis of this study, was the Colizzies method that is a 7-step process [16]. The reliability of qualitative data is evaluated by the credibility, reliability, confirmability, neutrality, objectivity and transferability of data [17]. In order to increase credibility, the researcher made an afford by long-term challenge, continuous observation and several interviews that were randomly selected and analyzed by researcher`s colleagues. Then, they were compared with the results obtained by the researcher. In addition, the review was done by the participants. In order to increase dependability in the study, the researcher used a third party for listening, transcription and analyzing the interviews, and to obtain neutral and objective data, the researcher used the external audit for abandoning some ideas. Moreover, to increasing capability of transferring of data to similar groups as well, the researcher benefited by introducing a completed project along with selecting the participants with the greatest differences.

Totally, 11 chemical victims` wives were interviewed during 5 months in the age range of 30-59 years, and they had the marital experience of living with a disabled veteran between 16 and 30 years. Their educational range level was from illiterate to the high school degree. At first, recorded participants` statements was listened continuously, and then they were written down word by word. In order to extract meaningful information as "important statement", each of quotes were referred to again and crucial sentences related to the issue under discussion was highlighted by underlining ,and 570 important statement were extracted. In the next stage, known as "formulating meanings" or "extraction initial codes", Initial codes were extracted from important statements related to the under discussion phenomenon that had been highlighted and 217 of the initial codes were developed. In the fourth stage, after frequent review the last stage achieved initial code, formulaic concepts were put into thematic categories and clusters. Thus, the second level conceptual codes were obtained (Table 1). After the formation of the second level conceptual codes, larger groups called underlying theme of “actions for Empowerments" and "individual capabilities of wives” were formed. In the seventh step, in accordance with Colizzies method, the researcher referred to the interviewees and asked questions about the findings and the final validity was reached. Among 217 initial codes of interviews 16 conceptual substructure including: Planning, relaxation, self-efficacy, supporting, relocation role, role playing, cooperation, sympathy, preserving morale ,nobility, Dedication, beliefs and values, knowledge about the disease, social attitudes, adaptation and reconciliation with life were achieved that were categorized under the themes of " action for empowerment” and "individual capabilities of spouses”.

… [18]. the study results show that meanwhile the wives help their disabled veteran husbands to make a decision, with the approval of their decision, support them in difficulty and solve the problem altogether as well. In general, also, numerous studies show others` support can facilitate recovery from physical diseases and increase the person`s ability to adapt the consequences of chronic disease [19]. According to the study that is done by Besharat et al. under the title of “The mediator role of narcissism in relation to the sympathy and the quality of interpersonal relations”,sympathy has a positive relationship with the quality of interpersonal relationships [18]. … [20-27]. With respect to the role of disease related knowledge, and the social attitudes of coping with the disease, Ghazanfari et al. findings show that 94.1% of research units use belief in God and trust on him as effective methods to overcome difficulties; and 74% of the parents have considered the reception of information and advice as being effective for a disease [28]. … [29-30].

Supporting veteran’s wives as caregivers (in terms of both knowledge and emotion), strengthens their supportive behaviors for their disabled husbands.

Of the limitations of this study, the lack of participants` familiarity with the society health nurse, difficulty to enter privacy (home), and the geographic distribution of the studied society can be noted.

Chemical disabled veterans` wives experiences over the years of living with a disabled veteran, covers these two main themes: “action for empowerment" and "individual capabilities of wives “. The related subthemes ,also, shows that these wives beside playing several roles of being a wife, caring , medical help, etc. have experienced a variety of difficulties, and empirically, they have done effective actions to empower their spouses .

All participants (wives of disabled and honorable chemical veterans) of this study who have helped us with providing their value experiences are appreciated. In addition, we appreciate Deputy of Research of Islamic Azad University, Khorasgoon (Esfahan) branch due to spiritual and financial support and respectful management of Esfahan Foundation of Martyrs and Veterans Affairs with their spiritual support that facilitated this study.

Non-declared

After acquiring participants informed contest of the study, the researcher assured them that all Information and recorded voices maintain confidentiality and, the researcher assigned a number to each interview.

The Isfahan province Foundation of Martyrs and Veterans Affairs of and the second author of this study funded this study.

TABLES and CHARTS

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