title: Challenges for resuming normal life after earthquake: a qualitative study on rural areas of iran.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Growing evidence is indicating that some of disaster affected people face challenges to resume normal life several months after an earthquake. However, there is no sufficient in-depth understanding of complex process of resuming normal life after an earthquake in Iran, as one of the most disaster-prone countries in the world, and in rural areas as a particular setting. This study aimed to explore challenges of return to normalcy in rural earthquake-stricken areas of Iran.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study was conducted using qualitative content analysis method (Graneheim approach). Twenty people from the earthquake-stricken areas and seven qualified experts were selected via purposeful sampling .Data was collected through semi-structured interviews, focus group discussions, and field notes from August 2013 to January 2014. Data collection continued to the point of data saturation (no new information was provided by interviewees). Data saturation supported the sample size. Data analysis was based on qualitative content analysis principles.
  
  
  RESULTS
  "Social uncertainty and confusion" was the most prominent challenge of return to the normal life after earthquake, which was categorized into six concepts of social vulnerability, lack of comprehensive rehabilitation plan, incomplete reconstruction, ignorance of local social capital, waste of assets, and psychological problems.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Findings showed that social uncertainty and confusion occurs as a result of negligence of some important social aspects in process of returning to the normal life. This issue, in turn, can greatly interrupt the normal developmental processes. Understanding the challenges of life recovery after disasters will help policy makers consider social rehabilitation as a key factor in facilitation of return to normal life process after earthquakes.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Disaster; earthquake; social rehabilitation; social uncertainty.
authors: Department of Social Work, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors: Fardin
authors: F
authors: Alipour
authors: Department of Health in Emergency and Disaster, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Department of Clinical Science and education, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden.
authors: Hamid Reza
authors: HR
authors: Khankeh
authors: Department of Social Work, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors: Hussain
authors: H
authors: Fekrazad
authors: Mohammad
authors: M
authors: Kamali
authors: Department of Social Work, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors: Hassan
authors: H
authors: Rafiey
authors: The University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.
authors: Pooria
authors: P
authors: Sarrami Foroushani
authors: Psychology & Counseling, University of Central Arkansas, Conway, Arkansas, USA.
authors: Kevin
authors: K
authors: Rowell
authors: Department of Social Work, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors: Shokoufeh
authors: S
authors: Ahmadi