This qualitative research aims to explore the underlying factors contributing to feelings of inferiority among divorced women in Tehran. The study sample consists of 34 divorced women, aged 21 to 58. Initially, an inferiority questionnaire was distributed among divorced women, and those who scored higher than 42 were selected for interviews. The analysis revealed five main themes, 23 sub-themes, and one core theme. The obtained subthemes include parents' education, family culture level, economic pressures, addiction to drugs or alcohol, lack of authoritative parents, parental illness, extreme family control and extreme family compensation, defective behaviors of family members, defective behaviors of others, resentment, anger, regret, self-accusation, withdrawal, insignificance, excuse-making, aggression, failure to satisfy psychological needs by parents, lack of problem-solving skills, change of child custody and fear of others' judgments. The main themes of life are seeking power and superiority, weak interpersonal relationships, protective tendencies, and feelings of inadequacy and insecurity. According to the research question, the core theme of this research is the feeling of inferiority. According to the propositions obtained, the current research includes three aspects. First group is divorced women less than 30 years old; The second group is divorced women over 30 years old and the third group is divorced women over 50 years old. In each of these groups, some underlying factors are more prominent than others. In the first group, the extreme control and compensation of the family, the defective behavior of the family and others, and communication with the opposite sex through virtual space. In the second group, changing the custody of the child, communicating with the opposite sex and forming a temporary marriage, lack of problem solving and using substances and alcoholic beverages, and in the third group hatred, anger, aggression and regret are obtained.
