Explanation of physical and self-concept dimensions in Spouses of Patients with Major Thalassemia Based on Roy's Theory: A Qualitative Content Analysis Study

Background and Objective: Major thalassemia is a congenital blood disorder caused by a defect in the hemoglobin chain, leading to anemia and increased iron load, which can affect all organs. The complications arising from thalassemia impact various aspects of the patient's life. Spouses, as informal caregivers, need to adapt to their partner's condition to enhance their quality of life. This study aims to Explanation of physical and self-concept dimensions in spouses of patients with TM in Dezful County. Methods: In this guided content analysis based on Roy's theory, in-depth interviews were conducted with 12 eligible participants regarding their adaptation experiences. The researcher recorded and transcribed their responses. After multiple readings of the participants' statements, codes were extracted and organized into subcategories, generic categories, and main categories based on semantic proximity. Content analysis was performed using the methods of Elo and Kyngäs, with a back-and-forth approach between inductive and deductive reasoning. Findings: 2 main categories emerged from the data analysis: physical, self-concept. Additionally, 15 generic categories, 37 subcategories, and 105 codes were extracted, resulting in 147 unique codes after removing duplicates. Conclusion: This research revealed that spouses who are themselves affected by TM experience greater physical and psychological challenges that highlighting the necessity for effective policies to provide comprehensive support for patients and their spouses. Clinical trial number: not applicable.