The mental health needs of women in natural disasters: A qualitative study with a preventive approach

CONTEXT: Considering the importance of psychological issues during disasters and the key role of women in the family and society, a preventive approach toward mental health improvement in women is of great importance. AIMS: This study aimed to identify the mental health needs of women in natural disasters through a preventive approach. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: The present qualitative study was conducted through content analysis method and semi-structured interviews with 40 specialists and seven women who had experienced natural disasters. The study participants were selected through snowball and purposive sampling. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A heterogeneous sample was selected. To ensure the reliability and verifiability of data, the texts of the interviews were approved by each interviewee. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Thematic analysis was used to report findings. RESULTS: In this study, two themes, seven main categories, and 21 subcategories and secondary codes were extracted. The themes were internal physical (biological) and external environmental (social, political and legal measures, cultural and spiritual measures, psychology, and lifestyle) factors. CONCLUSIONS: The dimensions related to the mental health of women are multifactorial and beyond only psychological variables. The improvement of the mental health of women can be achieved through aggregation of perspectives in different organizational, governmental, and political areas in collaboration within the society with a healthy gender perspective free of discrimination, inequality, and injustice.