Volume 22, Issue 3 (10-2026)
J Health Syst Res 2026, 22(3): 466-471 |
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Research code: 58292
Ethics code: IR.MUI.DHMT.REC.1402.099
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Jafari H, Jalali T, Hojati M. Exploring Women’s Lived Experiences and Perceptions of Spontaneous Abortion: A Qualitative Phenomenological Study in Lenjan, Iran. J Health Syst Res 2026; 22 (3) :466-471
URL: http://hsr.mui.ac.ir/article-1-2161-en.html
URL: http://hsr.mui.ac.ir/article-1-2161-en.html
1- Lenjan Health Network, Deputy Director of Health, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
2- PhD, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan AND Forensic Medicine Research Center, Forensic Medicine Organization, Tehran AND Department of Medicine, Najafabad Branch, Islamic Azad University, Najafabad, Iran
2- PhD, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan AND Forensic Medicine Research Center, Forensic Medicine Organization, Tehran AND Department of Medicine, Najafabad Branch, Islamic Azad University, Najafabad, Iran
Abstract: (298 Views)
Background: Spontaneous abortion is one of the most common complications of pregnancy among women of reproductive age, which, according to global estimates, involves 15%–20% of recognized pregnancies. Despite the focus of studies on medical aspects, women’s perceptions and lived experiences of abortion, especially within the cultural context of Iran, have been less investigated. This phenomenological study aimed to explore the lived experiences and perceptions of women residing in Lenjan County, Iran, regarding the causes of spontaneous abortion in 2024.
Methods: Using Colaizzi’s phenomenological method, this qualitative study was conducted on 163 women residing in Lenjan County who had experienced spontaneous abortion in 2024, with their records documented in the Ministry of Health’s SIB system. Although theoretical saturation was achieved after interviewing about 20 participants, interviews were extended to the entire accessible population using purposeful and convenience sampling. Data were collected through in-depth, semi-structured interviews (20–60 minutes) conducted in safe environments. The main questions focused on describing the abortion experience and its associated emotions and meanings, while exploratory questions were used to facilitate deeper discourse. Data analysis was conducted using Colaizzi’s seven-step method.
Findings: The mean age of women was 32.34 ± 6.80 years, and that of their husbands was 36.52 ± 6.65 years. Most women held a high school diploma (41.2%) and were homemakers (93.8%), while their husbands were primarily self-employed (42.9%). Data analysis identified five main themes: (1) biological–medical causes (absence of fetal heartbeat, genetic abnormalities, uterine problems, and maternal diseases such as hypothyroidism); (2) psychological–emotional factors (stress and psychological shock, family conflicts, and domestic violence); (3) environmental factors (air pollution, presence of cats, excessive mobile phone use); (4) cultural–social beliefs and interpretations (superstitious beliefs such as spells and divine will); (5) lifestyle and pregnancy care (heavy physical activities, unhealthy diet, lack of supplement use, and inappropriate pregnancy spacing).
Conclusion: Women’s perception of spontaneous abortion is multidimensional and influenced by biological, psychological, environmental, cultural, and lifestyle factors. From the participants’ perspective, psychological–emotional factors (especially stress) and environmental factors played a decisive role in the occurrence of spontaneous abortion. Therefore, it is necessary to integrate psychological educational programs for mothers, including stress management techniques (such as mindfulness and counseling), to strengthen resilience and reduce adverse reproductive outcomes.
Methods: Using Colaizzi’s phenomenological method, this qualitative study was conducted on 163 women residing in Lenjan County who had experienced spontaneous abortion in 2024, with their records documented in the Ministry of Health’s SIB system. Although theoretical saturation was achieved after interviewing about 20 participants, interviews were extended to the entire accessible population using purposeful and convenience sampling. Data were collected through in-depth, semi-structured interviews (20–60 minutes) conducted in safe environments. The main questions focused on describing the abortion experience and its associated emotions and meanings, while exploratory questions were used to facilitate deeper discourse. Data analysis was conducted using Colaizzi’s seven-step method.
Findings: The mean age of women was 32.34 ± 6.80 years, and that of their husbands was 36.52 ± 6.65 years. Most women held a high school diploma (41.2%) and were homemakers (93.8%), while their husbands were primarily self-employed (42.9%). Data analysis identified five main themes: (1) biological–medical causes (absence of fetal heartbeat, genetic abnormalities, uterine problems, and maternal diseases such as hypothyroidism); (2) psychological–emotional factors (stress and psychological shock, family conflicts, and domestic violence); (3) environmental factors (air pollution, presence of cats, excessive mobile phone use); (4) cultural–social beliefs and interpretations (superstitious beliefs such as spells and divine will); (5) lifestyle and pregnancy care (heavy physical activities, unhealthy diet, lack of supplement use, and inappropriate pregnancy spacing).
Conclusion: Women’s perception of spontaneous abortion is multidimensional and influenced by biological, psychological, environmental, cultural, and lifestyle factors. From the participants’ perspective, psychological–emotional factors (especially stress) and environmental factors played a decisive role in the occurrence of spontaneous abortion. Therefore, it is necessary to integrate psychological educational programs for mothers, including stress management techniques (such as mindfulness and counseling), to strengthen resilience and reduce adverse reproductive outcomes.
Keywords: Spontaneous abortion, Lived experience, Phenomenology, Stress, Maternal education, Reproductive health
Type of Study: Research |
Subject:
health Psychology
Received: 2025/10/11 | Accepted: 2026/02/15 | Published: 2026/10/7
Received: 2025/10/11 | Accepted: 2026/02/15 | Published: 2026/10/7
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