Community Health Journal

Community Health Journal

Identifying the Damages of Deviation from Iranian-Islamic Lifestyle Values and Norms in the Youth's Divorce: A Phenomenological Study

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
M ghezelseflo 1
A aghaziarati 2
1 Assistant Prof., Dept. of Psychology, Gonbad Kavous University, Gonbad Kavous, Iran
2 Assistant Prof., Dept. of Psychology and Counseling, Farhangian University, Tehran, Iran
10.22123/chj.2026.561875.2238
Abstract
Introduction: Divorce, as a multidimensional phenomenon, is a sign of change in the value, moral, and normative system of society. This study aimed to identify the damages resulting from deviation from Iranian–Islamic lifestyle values and norms in the occurrence of divorce among Tehrani youth.
Methods and Materials: This qualitative research was conducted using an interpretive phenomenological approach. The statistical population included divorced young individuals living in Tehran who had experienced divorce within the past five years. Purposive sampling was used in this study. A total of 23 individuals (13 women and 10 men) who had referred to counseling centers in areas 4 and 10 of Tehran participated in semi-structured interviews. Data were analyzed through thematic analysis using NVivo version 14.
Results: Thematic analysis revealed five main themes: collapse of the shared value system, emotional and communicational disconnection, socio-media pressure, weakness of premarital education and awareness based on Iranian-Islamic values, and personal, social and spiritual disconnection. The results indicated that weak religious beliefs, excessive individualism, media influence, and lack of communicational and cultural skills were the key factors contributing to divorce.
Conclusions:Youth divorce reflects deviation from cultural and moral values in society. The deviation from Iranian–Islamic lifestyle norms, reinforced by social and media pressures, has weakened the integrity of the family. Strengthening pre-marital education, promoting moral values, and providing culturally grounded counseling programs can play a vital role in preventing divorce and restoring the cultural identity of Iranian families.
Keywords
Youth divorce
Iranian&ndash
Islamic lifestyle
Cultural deviation
Family values
Phenomenological study
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Community Health Journal
Volume 20, Issue 1
Summer 2026
Pages 29-39