Emotional Transformation, Anxiety, and Expectancy in view ofamong Pregnant Surrogate Mothers: A Qualitative Study

Introduction: Surrogacy is an assisted reproductive technology (ART) in which the surrogate mother accepts to host the baby of another in her uterus. Despite the advantages of surrogacy, it has given rise to certain ethical and legal issues. Thus, the aim of the present study was the evaluation of emotional transformation, anxiety, and expectancy among pregnant surrogate mothers. Method: This qualitative research was conducted based on phenomenological approach. The study population consisted of all pregnant surrogate mothers referring to Isfahan Fertility and Infertility Center, Iran, in 2014. Through purposive sampling method, 5 women were selected. Data were collected using deep and unstructured interviews and analyzed using Colaizzi's method. The reliability and validity of this study was approved based on the 4 elements of dependability, credibility, transferability, and conformability. Results: The mean age of participants was 32.4 years. Through analysis of interviews, 39 primary codes were extracted. The primary codes were categorized into secondary codes. They consisted of 2 themes of emotional transformation in the donor and recipient (emotional transformation) 4 themes of anxiety in the simultaneous motherhood roles, apathy of the receiver, shame and fear of people close to the donor (anxiety), and 3 themes of trust in God, anticipation of the end of the pregnancy, and hope for the resolution of financial problems (expectancy). Thus, the experience of emotional transformation, anxiety, and expectancy by pregnant surrogate mothers was approved. Conclusion: Support systems should be strengthened in Iran so that derelict women have insurance and are not compelled to donate ovum and become surrogates several times. The exploitation of these women and damage to their human dignity should be prevented, and education is the best way to prevent this exploitation. Keywords: Emotional transformation, Anxiety, Expectancy, Surrogacy, Life experiences, Qualitative researc

A qualitative quantitative mixed methods study of domestic violence against women

Abstract Background Violence against women is one of the most widespread, persistent and detrimental violations of human rights in today’s world, which has not been reported in most cases due to impunity, silence, stigma and shame, even in the age of social communication. Domestic violence against women harms individuals, families, and society. The objective of this study was to investigate the prevalence and experiences of domestic violence against women in Semnan. Methods This study was conducted as mixed research (cross-sectional descriptive and phenomenological qualitative methods) to investigate domestic violence against women, and some related factors (quantitative) and experiences of such violence (qualitative) simultaneously in Semnan. In quantitative study, cluster sampling was conducted based on the areas covered by health centers from married women living in Semnan since March 2021 to March 2022 using Domestic Violence Questionnaire. Then, the obtained data were analyzed by descriptive and inferential statistics. In qualitative study by phenomenological approach and purposive sampling until data saturation, 9 women were selected who had referred to the counseling units of Semnan health centers due to domestic violence, since March 2021 to March 2022 and in-depth and semi-structured interviews were conducted. The conducted interviews were analyzed using Colaizzi’s 7-step method. Results In qualitative study, seven themes were found including “Facilitators”, “Role failure”, “Repressors”, “Efforts to preserve the family”, “Inappropriate solving of family conflicts”, “Consequences”, and “Inefficient supportive systems”. In quantitative study, the variables of age, age difference and number of years of marriage had a positive and significant relationship, and the variable of the number of children had a negative and significant relationship with the total score and all fields of the questionnaire (p < 0.05). Also, increasing the level of female education and income both independently showed a significant relationship with increasing the score of violence. Conclusions Some of the variables of violence against women are known and the need for prevention and plans to take action before their occurrence is well felt. Also, supportive mechanisms with objective and taboo-breaking results should be implemented to minimize harm to women, and their children and families seriously