The Delanerolle and Phiri Theory: The basis to the <em>Novel </em>Culturally Informed ELEMI Qualitative Framework for Women's Health Research

Complex women’s health conditions extend beyond biological transitions, encompassing physiological, psychological, and sociocultural dimensions that make their understanding and management inherently multifaceted. Midlife women’s health, particularly during menopause, is shaped not only by hormonal changes but also by lived experiences, societal expectations, and cultural narratives that influence symptom perception and expression. Yet, mental and physical health sequelae are often examined in isolation: vasomotor, genitourinary, and long-term risks such as osteoporosis dominate clinical focus, while psychological effects, anxiety, depression, cognitive changes, and identity shifts, are underexplored. This fragmented approach undermines the biopsychosocial nature of women’s health, where mind and body interact bidirectionally.Qualitative evidence from the MARIE project across twelve countries highlights the role of cultural norms and beliefs in shaping women’s menopausal experiences, with some cultures framing menopause positively and others associating it with stigma. Women frequently adopt culturally rooted remedies or self-care practices, yet current qualitative methodologies insufficiently capture such cross-cultural complexities. Established approaches like grounded theory, phenomenology, narrative inquiry, and ethnography offer valuable insights but often minimize or overlook cultural, racial, and contextual variations. Intersectional and feminist theories address gender and power but lack a systematic framework for comparative, cross-cultural health research.To address this gap, the Delanerolle and Phiri Theory is proposed as a novel qualitative framework. Grounded from evidence from MARIE, it integrates physical, psychological, and cultural dimensions, offering a methodology that explicitly embeds culture and identity at every research stage. This theory advances a more holistic understanding of women’s health in multicultural contexts.