Lived experiences of divorced women in Kashmir: a phenomenological study

Abstract

Using a phenomenological approach, the present study aimed to gain an understanding of the lived experiences of divorced women in Kashmir. 20 divorced women were recruited through a purposive sampling technique. Data were collected through a semi-structured interview schedule. Using Colaizzi’s techniques of data analysis, two themes emerged from the data: the reasons for divorce and the challenges faced after divorce. The results of the study uncovered that violence/family interference, infidelity/second marriage of spouses were the dominant reasons for the dissolution of marriage, followed by childlessness, and incompatibility. Additionally, divorce brought about numerous social, economic, cultural, and psychological challenges. To tackle the challenges and traumas, divorced women showed a greater sense of resilience during the post-divorce period utilizing different strategies.