Lived Experiences of Mothers Parenting Preschool-Aged Children in Bafq County, Iran: A Descriptive Phenomenological Study
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Objective: To explore the lived experiences, stressors, and coping strategies of mothers parenting preschool-aged children (3–6 years) in semi-rural Bafq County, Yazd Province, Iran.
Methods and Materials: We conducted a qualitative study using a descriptive phenomenological approach. Purposive sampling recruited mothers with preschool children from local health centers. Twenty-two participants completed semi-structured, in-depth interviews (60–90 minutes). Audio-recordings were transcribed verbatim and analyzed with Colaizzi’s seven-step method (1978). Rigor was enhanced through member checking, expert/peer review, and methodological triangulation; two independent coders achieved inter-rater agreement (κ≈0.85).
Findings: Analysis yielded ~200 initial codes condensed to 83 validated codes, organized into nine subthemes under three overarching themes: (1) Distressing/Traumatic Parenting Experiences (fear, anxiety, helplessness, shame, psychological distress); (2) Growth-Oriented Parenting Experiences (parental aspirations, achievements, and satisfaction signifying personal growth alongside the child); and (3) Dominant Parenting Strategies, encompassing effective (acceptance, role-modeling, confidence, flexibility, problem-solving, religious coping) and ineffective approaches (impulsivity, poor communication, inconsistency, perfectionism, emotional withdrawal). Quotations illustrated both burden and meaning-making in motherhood within constraints of traditional gender roles, limited services, and geographic isolation in Bafq.
Conclusion: Mothers in Bafq experience a dual reality of strain and growth. Context-sensitive supports—such as community-based parenting groups, spousal communication workshops, and accessible mental-health services (including telehealth)—may bolster resilience and optimize child outcomes. Future work should include diverse rural settings and longer-term follow-up to examine change over time.
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