Identifying Motivational Strategies in Post-Divorce Mental Health Care: A Qualitative Study

Abstract

This study aimed to identify motivational strategies for engaging in mental health care following divorce and to explore the lived experiences of divorced individuals. Using a qualitative research design and thematic analysis, data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 19 divorced men and women residing in Tehran who had sought post-divorce psychological services. Purposeful sampling was employed, and interviews continued until theoretical saturation was reached. NVivo software was used for data coding and thematic categorization. Three main themes emerged from the data: (1) Motivational Reconstruction After Divorce, (2) Motivational Resources in Psychological Care, and (3) Behavioral Strategies for Sustaining Motivation. Subthemes included acceptance of new reality, social support, intrinsic motivation, meaning-making, psychological self-care, and use of mental health technologies. Participants' narratives highlighted the dynamic interplay of internal and external factors in sustaining motivation for psychological well-being. The findings indicate that motivation for post-divorce mental health care is a multidimensional and context-sensitive process influenced by psychological, social, cultural, and technological factors. Understanding these motivational strategies can inform more effective psychological interventions and targeted social support mechanisms.