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Table 2 Subcategories, categories, and themes extracted from interviews

From: Living with singleness: needs and concerns of never-married women over 35

Subcategories

Categories

Themes

Need for a companion

Lack of emotional support

Mental-spiritual lack

Need to love and be loved

Striving to be a mother

Fear of permanent celibacy

Uncertain future

Fear of unsuccessful marriage in the future

Fear of being an imposition on family members

Psychological insecurity

Mental rumination

Incessant never-ending despair

Feeling guilty

Incessant continuous regret

Concerns if meeting sexual needs

Sexual worries

Forced to ignore sexual needs

Stigma of being single

Adverse effect of culture

Reform of culture and society

Stereotypical thinking of people

Failure to provide reproductive health services without judgment

Need to set up partner-finding agencies for singles

Being overlooked in society

Need for skills to live alone

Need for financial support

Fear of aging due to disability

Aging and loneliness

Loneliness arising from disability

Fear of losing fertility

Fear of emerging diseases

Sickness and loneliness

Fear of diseases without a supporter