A Qualitative Content Analysis of Psychosocial Needs Affecting Hookah Use by Women

Hookah use has become highly popular among Iranian women. The objective of the present study was to identify the psychosocial factors affecting hookah use by women during 2018- 2019 using a conventional content analysis approach.

Participants were invited to participate in a semi-structured interview by the purposeful method with maximum diversity in terms of age, education, occupation, hookah use status, and geographical areas of the city. Data were collected through in-depth individual interviews and analyzed through content analysis. The interview continued until obtaining no new category. Software MAXQDA (version 10) was used for data analysis.

In general, 36 participants were interviewed based on the study aim. In this study, the focus was on the category of psychosocial needs, including 9 subcategories of searching for peace of mind, inner gap, physical and psychological dependence, need for recreation, curiosity, tendency to express oneself, attraction, satisfaction, companionship and competition with others, leisure time, pleasure, and inexperience.

Several psychosocial factors were effective in hookah use among women. Providing the necessary recreational facilities for women and families and training life skills can be effective in reducing hookah use.