Presenting an Empowerment Model to Promote Social Health and Its Relationship with Life Expectancy of Afghan Women Living in Iran (2016-2021)
Journal of Pizhūhish dar dīn va Salāmat (i.e., Research on Religion & Health),
Vol. 12 No. 1 (2026),
24 May 2026
,
Page 96-109
https://doi.org/10.22037/jrrh.v12i1.48487
Abstract
Background and Objective: Social health is one of the key dimensions of human health that plays an important role in the quality of social life. Empowerment, as one of the influential factors, can promote social health. This study aims to present an empowerment model to promote social health and its relationship with life expectancy of Afghan women living in Iran.
Methods: This study uses a qualitative research method of grounded theory drawing on semi-structured in-depth interviews with 20 Afghan women living in Iran in 2016-2021, who were empowered and hopeful for life. The interviews were conducted using coding on the text. All ethical considerations were observed in this study and the authors do not report any conflicts of interest.
Results: The results revealed 100 general selected codes including causal conditions (healthy communication with society, ability to interact effectively with society, satisfaction with interpersonal relationships, playing a role in society), intervention conditions (lack of support from society, superstitions, secrecy, lack of problem-solving skills), central category (social health as a guarantee of life expectancy), strategies (self-confidence in Afghan women, strengthening adaptation strategies, rational beliefs, mutual understanding, independence in carrying out activities in society, hope) and outcome (life expectancy of Afghan women).
Conclusion: The findings indicate that promoting the social health of Afghan women in their empowerment model in Iran is dependent on the realization of such factors and components as healthy communication with society, ability to interact effectively with other people and the social environment, satisfaction with interpersonal relationships, playing a role, and acceptance in society. Therefore, sociologists and social workers, experts in the field of women's studies, and social policy makers are advised to take steps towards building society and family by investing in the social health of citizens, especially women.
- Afghan women
- Empowerment
- Iran
- Life expectancy
- Social health
How to Cite
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