Postmarital Life Challenges After Foster Care Discharge: A Qualitative Study

Abstract

Many children have entered foster care centers due to different reasons, and they will experience new conditions after leaving these centers. This research explored the experiences of the postmarital life of women with a history of residence in foster care centers. It was conducted using a qualitative content analysis. The data were collected through semistructured interviews with 21 former foster care women and experts. Data analysis was performed using coding and classification of codes. The main extracted theme was “Life in Suspension.” The extracted codes were placed in 10 subcategories and three categories, including (a) spoiled identity, (b) social pressures, and (c) unstable marital life. The need for planning to reduce the various challenges of this group and increase their quality of life, both during and after foster care centers, is essential.