Transition stages in adjustment of wives with their husbands' erectile dysfunction

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.

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

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.

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).

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.