Depression facilitators from the perspective of Iranian patients with major depressive disorder: a qualitative research

Major depressive disorder is the most common psychological disorder and affects many people
worldwide. Therefore, it is important to identify the factors that cause or facilitate this disorder.
Objectives: The aim of this qualitative study was to identify the facilitating factors of depression from the
perspective of Iranian patients with major depressive disorder.
Methods: This qualitative study was conducted by content analysis method. Data were collected via purposeful
sampling (maximum variation sampling) by conducting semi-structured interviews until reaching data saturation. Indepth
interviews were conducted with 12 participants, including patients with major depressive disorder and their
families in Razi Psychiatric Training and Treatment Center in Urmia (RPsTT) from November 2018 to February 2020.
The process of data analysis was based on the Landman and Grenheim method. The accuracy and trustworthiness
of the data were obtained through the Lincoln and Guba criteria.
Results: The analysis of interviews with the participants indicated four major categories: a. Environmental factors
(approved by 8 participants), b. Attitudinal factors (approved by 12 participants), c. Economic factors (approved by 9
participants) and d. Situational factors (approved by 10 participants).
Conclusion: In order to prevent major depressive disorder or to reduce the signs of this disorder and improve
these patients quality of life, paying attention to the facilitating factors from patient’s perspective based on their
community culture can be effective. Among facilitating factors, attitudinal factors have the most impact on the
incidence and exacerbation of this disorder from the perspective of patients