Transition stages in adjustment of wives with their husbands' erectile dysfunction.
BACKGROUND
No study has been conducted yet on the process of adjustment of wives with their husbands' erectile dysfunction in the transitional stages, and there is lack of understanding of this process in Iran.


OBJECTIVE
A qualitative, grounded-theory study was designed to examine the process of adjustment of wives with their husbands' erectile dysfunction in transitional stages.


METHODS
Purposive sampling was carried out in Tehran, Iran. Data collection occurred until the theoretical saturation was reached. A total of 16 semi structured in-depth interviews were conducted with 15 woman participants. The constant comparative method of data analysis was used.


RESULTS
The women were 29-53 years old and duration of marriage was 2-40 years. They had different educational status ranging from Illiterate to Master's degree. The present study showed the process of adjustment of wives with husbands' erectile dysfunction in categories of husband broken role, ups and downs in woman's sexual life, passing through failure, and end of transition. Following erectile dysfunction (event) and the man's reaction, broken role occurs (change). In response to this change, reactions due to loss of intimacy occur in the ups and downs of woman's life. Some women, unable to get through the failure, continue low quality life with sexual and communicational problems (limbo). By the end of transition, some women manage to overcome this unpleasant state of limbo, and begin to experience a new life, with increased intimacy, with or without sexual intercourse (new beginning).


CONCLUSIONS
If the process of transitional adjustment occurs in women, it will be effective in improving the relationship and increased intimacy, even sexual intimacy. With this understanding, better counseling and therapeutic interventions can be planned for these couples.
Department of Reproductive Health and Midwifery, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, IR Iran.
Giti
G
Ozgoli
Department of Reproductive Health and Midwifery, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, IR Iran.
Saeideh
S
Ziaei
Nursing Department, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, IR Iran.
Fazlollah
F
Ahmadi
Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IR Iran.
Mahyar
M
Azar
Erectile Dysfunction; Family Characteristics; Population Dynamics; Sexual Behavior