Conceptual Modeling of Female Genital Mutilation Complications in Kermanshah: a Grounded Theory Study

Mahmoudi, Osman

Conceptual Modeling of Female Genital Mutilation Complications in Kermanshah: a Grounded Theory Study

Document Type : Original Article

Author

Osman Mahmoudi

PhD in Family Counseling, Farhangian University of Kermanshah.

Abstract

This study is a qualitative study that aimed to phenomenologically examine the lived experience of female FGM victims, to develop a conceptual framework for professionals working with female FGM survivors. The current study population consisted of all circumcised women. Participants were selected through a snowball sampling to saturation (20 participants), and semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted with 20 female survivors of genital mutilation. Data were collected through in-depth interviews and analyzed using grounded theory and three coding phases. Culture, religion, male role, lack of education, female identity, and fraud were identified as key factors influencing survivors' understanding of FGM and its consequences. Female FGM survivors' experiences, as well as their beliefs about the practice, affected their emotional lives, relationships, identities, and bodies. The fear of female genital mutilation described by survivors undermined their resilience. All major categories of emotional, relational, identity, and physical consequences of FGM, as well as survivors' resilience, were influenced by key stages of womanhood, such as menstruation, marriage, and childbirth. These factors were reinforced based on their needs. This is a lack of satisfaction and the health system does not pay attention to the needs of these women. It is impossible to study the physical and psychological consequences of FGM in isolation and without considering the cultural context and life cycle of female FGM survivors. In addition, The issue weakens survivors' resilience to living with FGM. There are complex relationships between the physical, psychological, and social consequences of FGM and the culture of FGM, which should inform health policy and medical care for survivors to meet their needs.

Keywords

Female genital mutilation

Grounded theory

Resilience

Conceptual model

20.1001.1.27831175.1401.4.1.3.9

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