: Barriers to Remarriage in Older Women: A Qualitative Study

Objectives: Today, one of the most important challenges in the world and in Iran is the increase of the elder population. Death of a spouse in old age result in decrease of their participation and negotiation ability in different parts of life, and living alone independently is associated with an increased risk of death and affecting all aspects of health (physical, mental, social) in the elderly. This study was conducted to investigate the barriers to remarriage in older women. Methods & Material: The present study was conducted in 2019 with a qualitative approach and using the content analysis method. Using purposive sampling method, the study population consisted of 10 elderly women living in Babol who had at least one year of celibacy, widow, or divorce from their husbands and the ability to communicate effectively, willingness to participate in research and maximum diversity in terms of gender, the level of education, etc, had formed. The data collection method was continued in the form of semi-structured in-depth interviews until the data saturation level was reached. Each interview was conducted immediately after the performance and then analyzed based on Kvale's step by step method. Results: In order to determine the accuracy of the data, the criteria of acceptability, reliability, verifiability and transferability were used. From the total of interviews, 210 introductory codes were extracted, which during the analysis process were divided into three categories: characteristics, changes and perspectives of the elderly, family and mutual roles of individuals, elderly social relations and its effects. Overall, the three main classes were emerged from twelve subgroups. Conclusions: Due to the embarrassment, shame and shyness, the taboo of the issue of remarriage of the elderly in this context and in-transparency of Iranian women to their demands, focusing on planning and promoting culture to improve the quality of life of the elderly, breaking the taboo by changing views and common prejudices of people and not violating to each other's rights seems necessary