Women's Motivations Research Articles

Motives for Women’s Participation in Military Conflicts: The Ukrainian Case

This article analyzes the motives for direct (in military actions) and non-direct (in administrative or military support actions) participation of Ukrainian women in the ongoing Russian-Ukrainian military conflict that began in 2014. It aims to reveal the motives that have led pro-Ukrainian women to take part in defending their country by allowing the participants of the study to speak for themselves. The article draws on twenty (20) e-interviews with women who were involved in the war in Ukraine and five (5) semi-structured interviews with people who due to their professional activities were able to observe the conflict from the inside (journalists, NGO workers, and war photographers), as well as secondary sources available. Content analysis of the interview data was implemented. The article identifies four main motives for participation in war: patriotism, grievances, personal loss and suffering, and women’s empowerment. This information corresponds with similar studies conducted elsewhere in the region.

Motives For Purchase of Skin Care Product Users (Phenomenology Study on Women in DKI Jakarta)

This study aims to analyze the purchasing motives of users of skin care products, and is a phenomenological study of women in DKI Jakarta. To find out this motive, researchers used a qualitative approach, which aims to explore the true meaning of women's motives for buying skin care products. The data used for this study are primary data and secondary data. The results of a research analysis using in depth interviews with women in DKI Jakarta who bought skin care products, that they made skin care purchases with Hedonic Shopping motives. Motivations for women in DKI Jakarta using skin care products were motives, namely Adventure shopping and Social Shopping, while utilitarian Shopping motivation is motivation needs.

The Manifestation of Woman as a Şūfī Motif in Modern Arabic Poetry: Abdul Wahāb al-Bayyātī as an Example

The contemporary Arab poets have used the motif of women in their works to convey a variety of messages. Indeed, in many poetical works, the woman has played the role of an objective formula through which the modern Arab poet conveyed his idea, as if the woman were a mask. In fact, the woman is shown as a wide-ranging icon that helps the poet attain great ambitions and change the world around him. This image of the woman is influenced by the female character as depicted by medieval Sufi writers who regarded the woman as one of the major foundations of their writing. Consequently, they would select their female characters, give them glamorous names, and make them target of their writings. The content of the Sufi practices centered on love and craving. They considered that created woman their earthly mistress who aided them to reach their supreme lover, God. These Sufi rituals have profoundly impacted modern-day Arab poets. For purposes of focus, our work will discuss the echo of women in two poetical works of Abdul Wahāb al-Bayyātī. We seek to examine why this poet who is believed to represent modern writers, is magnetized to the Sufi image of woman. We assume that the Sufi treatment of women in modern Arabic poetry offers new insights into the dynamic potential of the motif and suggests a new critical approach.

Ambivalence and moral dilemmas in women's lived experiences of obesity and pregnancy: Qualitative insights for maternal lifestyle interventions.

Maternal obesity is a global health concern that is associated with significant effects on both short- and long-term health of both mother and child. However, maternal lifestyle interventions tend to focus solely on diet and physical activity in ways that disembody and disengage the social context in which women live their lives. The aim of this study was to explore the lived experiences of maternal obesity and delve into how experiences of the body and motherhood affect women's motivation for participating in a postpartum lifestyle intervention. A qualitative study using in-depth semi-structured interviews based on participant-generated photographs was used to allow the women to openly express their lived experiences of maternal obesity. The study emanated from a gynaecological department of a major Danish hospital, and five pregnant or postpartum women living with obesity participated. Interviews were audio recorded, transcribed and analysed using an Interpretive Phenomenological Approach. The analysis identified an overall theme of ambivalence and four subthemes among the participating women. The themes reflected contrasting feelings where the obese body was simultaneously an arena for aesthetic failure, functional success and moral dilemmas. Experiences of weight stigma and moral accusations in healthcare settings further increased the women's sense of ambivalence and challenged their strong desire to lose weight. This study highlights an ambivalent and vulnerable situation of maternal obesity which makes moral sensitivity towards weight and body concerns crucial to consider in future maternal health interventions. Our data suggest that an emphasis on functionality and capability rather than aesthetics and measured ideals would be useful in providing care and support in postpartum lifestyle interventions for women living with obesity.

An unconventional path to conventional motherhood: A qualitative study of women's motivations and experiences regarding social egg freezing in the Netherlands

Study questionWhat are women's motivations for social egg freezing and what are their experience regarding the egg freezing process in the Netherlands? Summary answerWomen who engage in social egg freezing are driven by feelings of fear, including the fear of not finding the suitable partner and fear of declining fecundity. They aim to fulfil their desire for having children with a partner. Alternative ways to achieve parenthood are considered if the conventional way of motherhood cannot be achieved. What is already knownThe reasons for social egg freezing are multi-fold, including amongst others economic, social, health, educational and career factors. The lack of a (stable) partnership, and a strong desire for a genetically related child with a committed partner are considered main reasons. Study design, size, durationA qualitative interview study, including 20 women, was conducted in the Netherlands between October 2018 and August 2019. Material & methods: Women between 32 and 42 years of age, who had completed the egg freezing trajectory for social reasons at three different medical centres in the Netherlands participated in the study. Semi-structured interviews were conducted face-to-face or via a teleconference tool and were recorded and transcribed verbatim. The interviews lasted between 30 and 90 minutes. Data were analysed using thematic content analysis. Main results and the role of chanceThis study identified one overall theme: “an unconventional path to conventional motherhood” and five interpretive theme's: “fear of not becoming a mother, peace of mind, an unconventional path to motherhood, conventional perspectives, and financial discrimination”. Women were afraid of not becoming a mother in the future. Despite the fact that all kinds of alternatives were available, conventional motherhood was preferred. Women chose a non-conventional path to reach this goal and they had to let go of traditional perspectives. Although they had the feeling of being discriminated financially, it gave them ‘peace of mind’. The preserved oocytes gave them the sense of a fertility insurance for the future. Limitations, reasons for cautionThe demographic profile displays a high degree of homogeneity, which may impact generalisability. Wider implications of the findingsThis study contributes to a better understanding of women who cryopreserve their oocytes for social reasons. Healthcare professionals need to be aware of these motivations and perspectives. Understanding the underlying factors and emotional considerations in the decision-making process is crucial to provide proper counselling and optimal patient-centered infertility care. Furthermore, it is important to raise awareness about the possibilities of pursuing (alternative) motherhood to support effective policy making. However, social egg freezing remains closest to women's preferences of conventional motherhood, even in a country like the Netherlands, which is known for its progressiveness and focus on gender equality. Last, policy makers need to stimulate cost-effectivity and prevent younger women of pursuing social egg freezing as kind of a prevention method.

It's The "Why": Links between (Non)autonomous Sexual Motives, Sexual Assertiveness, and Women's Orgasm in Casual Sex.

Existing literature shows conflicting and inconclusive evidence regarding women's sexual experiences in casual sex. Some studies have found negative sexual outcomes (e.g., fewer orgasms), while others have found positive sexual outcomes (e.g., more orgasms, higher sexual satisfaction) when women had casual sex. According to self-determination theory (Deci & Ryan, 1985), people's needs are fulfilled when their choice and behavior are self-motivated and reflect their intrinsic values. We hypothesized that women's autonomous motivation to have casual sex would be associated with higher orgasmic function, whereas nonautonomous motivation would be associated with lower orgasmic function in casual sex. We also hypothesized that sexual assertiveness would mediate the relationship between sexual motives and orgasmic function in casual sex. Participants in this study were women (N = 401) aged 18-59years who reported having had casual sex in the past 12months. Participants completed an online survey reporting their motives to have casual sex, sexual assertiveness, and orgasmic function (e.g., orgasm frequency, satisfaction with orgasm) in casual sex. We focused on two motives: (a) pleasure motive and (b) insecurity (i.e., self-esteem boost and pressure) motive. Results showed that greater pleasure (autonomous) motives related to higher sexual assertiveness, which in turn related to higher orgasmic function in casual sex. In contrast, greater insecurity (nonautonomous) motives related to lower sexual assertiveness, which in turn related to lower orgasmic function in casual sex. The findings support self-determination theory, suggesting that autonomous motives are important for women's sexual experience in casual sex.

Evaluating the Impact of a 6-month Lifestyle Intervention Program on Quality of Life and Motivation in Women With Obesity and Infertility

Women who have infertility and those living with obesity score lower on quality of life (QoL) scales. In addition, obesity affects fertility, and lifestyle modifications could attenuate this impact. Our objective was to assess the impact of a lifestyle intervention on the QoL and stages of change (based on the transtheoretical model) in women with obesity seeking fertility treatments.

What women want: a qualitative analysis of women’s motivation to pursue surgical careers

Objective: This study was undertaken to explore what motivates women to pursue surgical careers.
 
 Design: Qualitative methods were employed in this interview-based study. Interviews were recorded, manually anonymized and transcribed, and thematized using NVivo software.
 
 Setting: This study was conducted at Memorial University of Newfoundland in Canada. 
 
 Participants: Recruitment for this study via email requested volunteers who identified as women and were medical students considering a career in surgery. Recruitment continued until data was saturated. A total of 8 participants volunteered and were included.
 
 Results: This study revealed five themes associated with women's motivation to pursue surgical careers; mentorship, inherent aspirations, lived experience, and proof of capability, preconceived ideals. The commonest theme was mentorship. The women who participated in this study employed unconventional methods when seeking mentorship, some of which are unique to this work. 
 
 Conclusions: The most prevalent factors influencing women's motivation to pursue surgical careers are mentorship, inherent aspirations, participants' lived experience, a desire to prove their capability, and their preconceived ideals about surgery. All factors were deeply influential over one another. A greater understanding of these factors may help future researchers and educators create a more fulfilling career for women in surgery.

An Assessment of Women’s Experiences and Challenges Faced with Post Abortion Care (PAC) Services in Buea

Background: Unsafe abortion is one of the commonest causes of maternal mortality and post-abortion care services have been acclaimed as the best remedy for this situation. Yet, high maternal mortality still prevails pointing to issues with the quality of services. The paper was designed to investigate women's motives for engaging in unsafe abortion; assess women's experiences on the quality of PAC services and identify the challenges women faced in accessing PAC services in Buea.
 Methods: This study recruited 10 participants in Buea. Using a structured interview, data was collected on women's motives for engaging in unsafe abortion; assess women's experiences on the quality of PAC services, and identify the challenges women faced in accessing PAC services in Buea. Thematic and grounded theory analytical techniques were used to organize and interpret the data.
 Results: Majority of women in Buea did not use contraceptives for different reasons ranging from personal, spousal consent, ignorance, and the fear of side effects of contraceptive use. The low contraceptive use accounts highly for unwanted pregnancy cases which results in the decisions to induce. Most of these women involuntarily engage in induced abortion, highly driven by second party influence like the request from spouse/partner, disappointment from the spouse, and fear of parents’ reactions; while some occur as a result of missed abortion. The quality of PAC services received by most of these women were merely emergency treatments without proper PAC activities like family planning counseling, provision of modern contraceptive methods, linkages to other reproductive health care services. Women in Buea encounter some challenges in the use of PAC services, pains associated with the procedure, the cost, the absence of some family planning methods, the absence of counselling before PAC and above all, non constant availability of blood in the bood bank for transfusion.
 Conclusion: This study concluded that most women in Buea engage in induced abortion on account of the pressure to terminate an unwanted pregnancy; resulting from low contraceptives use; desire to avoid problems from their spouses/partners as well as to pursue career ambition. Moreover, the quality of PAC services offered to women in Buea was emergency treatment; void of important aspects like family planning services, linkage to other reproductive health care services, and facilitating their social reinsertion and preventing future induce abortion.

Perspectives about smoking cessation during pregnancy and beyond of Aboriginal women in Australia: A qualitative analysis using the COM-B model.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women (hereafter Aboriginal) and their babies experience poor health outcomes for which smoking is a major risk factor. This paper explores Aboriginal women's perspectives on and experiences of smoking cessation, within and outside pregnancy, and their use of smoking cessation services using the COM-B (Capability, Opportunity, Motivation as determinants of Behaviour) model to understand Aboriginal women's capabilities, opportunities, and motivation for smoking cessation. Data came from 11 focus groups conducted in regional New South Wales, Australia, with 80 women aged between 16 and 68years. Thematic analysis was performed following the COM-B model. Seven themes related to capability, opportunity, motivation, and smoking cessation behaviors were identified. The themes highlighted that agency, knowledge, and self-efficacy (as capability), a supportive social environment, and access to culturally appropriate services and resources (as opportunities), together with automatic and reflective motivations for quitting, may enable short- or long-term smoking cessation. Smoking cessation interventions may be more effective if the dynamics of the COM-B factors are considered. Policy and practice changes for further enhancing regional Aboriginal women's psychological capability and supportive social environments, and making smoking cessation services culturally appropriate are warranted.

Motivation of Women as Entrepreneurs: An Islamic Perspective

This paper deals with the Motivation of Women as Entrepreneurs as well as Islamic law on women entrepreneurship which are explained in the Holy Quran and said by Prophet (PBUH). Islam is a complete way of life, every act of its followers both male and female considered as Ibadah (worship) if he/she done with an intention of pleasing Allah (SWT). The Holy Quran and Sunnah motivates both men and women to work hard and to earn lawful money and offers to distribute excess profit for the welfare of the society through zakat, alms, charity, and gifts rather than rely on begging. Similarly, Islam is not against on women working and they treated them as equal to men. Many Sahabiya (women companions) of Prophet (PBUH) and his own wife Hazrat Khadijah tul Kubra were involved in business activities. Therefore, the present study concluded the Islamic life style to motivate women as entrepreneurs.

Motivation of women of different ages to engage in oriental dances as a kind of physical culture and health activities

Oriental dance classes today are one of the current areas of physical culture and health activities for women of different ages. They have a positive effect on their physical and psycho- emotional state. The problem of insufficient formation of the system of scientific and methodological support of this type of health-improving motor activity is relevant. The work is devoted to the issue of priority motives of women of different age groups to oriental dance classes. Involvement of the population in physical education is impossible without knowledge of motivation to exercise. Taking into account the priority motives for the construction of physical culture and health classes is important. We conducted a survey of women aged 16-61 who are engaged in oriental dances. We found diversity and heterogeneity in the structure of women's priority motives for oriental dance. The results of our study show that the priority motives of women are participation in competitions, the formation of body parameters, improving of health, improvement of psycho-emotional state. Participation in competitions, as well as improving of the parameters of the figure are important motives for young women. Improving of health and improvement of psycho-emotional state are important for older women. Prospects for further research in this area - the development of training programs in various fields, taking into account the age and level of training of women.

Are women's entrepreneurial intentions and motivations influenced by financial skills?

PurposeThis study aims to determine the contribution of financial skills to entrepreneurial intentions among women involved in university education.Design/methodology/approachClustering and logistic regression analyses were used to infer the determinants and motivators of entrepreneurial intention in a sample of women students at a Spanish online university.FindingsFinancial and numerical skills could play a significant role in boosting entrepreneurial culture, overcoming reticence and increasing awareness of business opportunities, particularly when women are motivated to increase their autonomy and income. The study offers meaningful implications for policymakers.Research limitations/implicationsFurther research will be needed before these conclusions may be inferred to other settings and circumstances. Comparison with a similar sample of potential male entrepreneurs may also be necessary to deduce the influence of gender.Practical implicationsThe introduction of certain financial content into the education system by governments and policymakers would produce remarkable results on entrepreneurship intention among women.Social implicationsRelational capital and positive social influences also contribute to mitigating the effects of risk aversion, one of the main barriers for potential female entrepreneurs.Originality/valueThe role of financial literacy in entrepreneurial intention among women has scarcely been addressed in academic research. The literature also has paid little attention to the analysis of what motivates women into entrepreneurship, and whether women who decide to embark on a business venture show different profiles. The aim of this study is to contribute to closing these gaps, exploring the effect of cognitive skills, personality traits, contextual factors and motivations.

Women's Use of Long-Acting Reversible Contraception for Birth Timing and Birth Stopping.

The use of long-acting reversible contraceptive (LARC) methods-intrauterine devices (IUDs) and implants-has recently expanded rapidly in the United States, and these methods together approach the contraceptive pill in current prevalence. Research on LARCs has analyzed their use to reduce unintended pregnancies but not their use to enable intended pregnancies. Knowledge of both is necessary to understand LARCs' potential impacts on the reproductive life courses of U.S. women. We combine data from two nationally representative surveys to estimate women's likelihood and timing of subsequent reproductive events, including births resulting from an intended pregnancy up to nine years after discontinuing LARC use. We estimate that 62% of women will give birth, and 45% will give birth from an intended pregnancy. Additionally, 18% will have a new LARC inserted, and 13% will transition to sterilization. Most of these reproductive events occur within two years after discontinuing LARC use. Births from an intended pregnancy are especially common when no intervening switch to another contraceptive method occurs. We infer that women's motives for using LARC are varied but include the desire to postpone a birth, to postpone a decision about whether to have a(nother) birth, and to transition definitively to the completion of childbearing.

Narrative review of pelvic floor muscle training for childbearing women-why, when, what, and how.

Urinary incontinence (UI) is prevalent during pregnancy and postpartum. UI in pregnancy strongly predicts UI postpartum and later in life. UI reduces women's wellbeing and quality of life and presents a significant burden to healthcare resource. A narrative review summarizing quantitative and qualitative evidence about pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) for prevention and treatment of UI for childbearing women. There are clinically important reductions in the risk of developing UI in pregnancy and after delivery for pregnant women who start PFMT during pregnancy, and PFMT offers additional benefits preventing prolapse and improving sexual function. If women develop UI during pregnancy or postpartum then PFMT is an appropriate first-line treatment. For novice exercisers, a programme comprising eight contractions, with 8-s holds, three times a day, 3days a week, for at least 3months is a reasonable minimum and 'generic' prescription. All women need clear accurate verbal instruction in how to do PFMT. Incontinent women, and women who cannot do a correct contraction, require referral for pelvic floor rehabilitation. Behavioural support from maternity care providers (MCPs)-increasing women's opportunity, capability, and motivation for PFMT-is as important as the exercise prescription. PFMT is effective to prevent and treat UI in childbearing women. All pregnant and postpartum women, at every contact with a MCP, should be asked if they are continent. Continent women need exercise prescription and behavioural support to do PFMT to prevent UI. Incontinent women require appropriate referral for diagnosis or treatment.

Enablers and barriers to women's lifestyle behavior change during the preconception period: A systematic review.

Healthy lifestyle behaviors during the preconception period are important to optimize maternal and child outcomes, including weight. However, the majority of women do not have optimal preconception lifestyle behaviors. This systematic review explored enablers and barriers to women's preconception lifestyle behaviors using the Capability, Opportunity, Motivation, Behaviour (COM-B) model and Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF). Preconception was defined as the time before conception, capturing planned and unplanned pregnancies. Medline Complete, EMBASE, PsycINFO, and CINAHL were searched for peer-reviewed, quantitative and qualitative primary studies (English, 2006-2020) that explored enablers and barriers to lifestyle behaviors (diet, physical activity, smoking, alcohol use, supplement intake). Forty-two studies (of 3406) were included, assessing supplement use (n = 37), diet (n = 10), smoking (n = 10), alcohol use (n = 8), and physical activity (n = 5). All three COM-B components were identified only for diet and supplement use. Of the 14 TDF domains, 7 were identified: knowledge, beliefs about capabilities, beliefs about consequences, goals, intentions, social support, and environmental context and resources. The presence/absence of knowledge on healthy behaviors was the most commonly assessed enabler/barrier. Future studies should explore a wider range of factors influencing preconception women's capability, opportunity, and motivation to modify their lifestyle behaviors.

A Survey on Women's Motivation to Reduce Poverty

Nowadays, women still become an objectsof life. Even though women can be competent objects of development. Lack of motivation to women is the main problem why women are not productive in public matters. The purpose of this study was to see whether women's empowerment could increase women's motivation to alleviate poverty. This research is an exploratory research which intends to collect facts in depth. The population in this study were 229 women from poor communities who did not or had not worked in Kudus Regency. The sample obtained from Slovin formula is 145 women with the sampling technique using random sampling. Data were collected using a questionnaire and analyzed using SEM with the warpPLS analysis tool. This research shows that the motivation of the population of women does indeed have a significant effect on poverty alleviation because motivation makes what women do to be unbiased. Empowerment of women does not have any effect on motivation for poverty alleviation.

Motives for Combining Motherhood with Employment: Evidence for Medium and Highly Educated Polish Women Around the EU Accession

Abstract This article provides insights into employment decisions of mothers and mothers-to-be in a post-socialist Poland around the entry to the EU. Previous studies for this country continuously pointed to a strong determination among mothers to be employed during the economic transformation, despite increasing obstacles to combining paid work with childrearing over the 1990s. We analyse in-depth interviews to explore women's motives to work for pay. We investigate how these motives are related to women's childbearing experiences and intentions. Our analyses show that motherhood was central in women's lives at this point in Polish history, but females sought to combine it with employment. We also find that women's perceptions about their ability to balance work and motherhood were strongly related to the meanings that they attached to paid work.

The Impact of Mastectomy on Self-Concept and Social Life: Decisional Conflicts for Breast Reconstruction

Background: Having a mastectomy affects a woman psychosocially, especially to adapt to the changes of her body. It is important to understand women's motivation for breast reconstruction surgery (BRS) to reconcile themselves with their own beliefs and desires. This study explored the factors that affect women's decision to have BRS after the mastectomy, the level of awareness of the available BRS options and their suggestions to improve the acceptance of BRS. Materials and methods: A questionnaire was distributed to patients diagnosed with BC in Saudi Arabia.

Is positive self-perception a determinant of cardiovascular performance? A didactic and sustainable view in female university students

Traditionally women have been less active and physically active than men. Although the recent literature indicates this gender gap, the sexes' difference when practicing sport seems to be decreasing. This study framework's importance could be reflected in the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) proposed by UNESCO, which highlight the need to generate strategies to improve health (SDG 3) and equalize opportunities between men and women (SDG 4). The reasons for these differences are multifactorial, with intrinsic and extrinsic motivations indicated as requiring further research. Self-perception in physical performance has been documented to influence women to perform the exercise and physical activity. Therefore, this research aimed to identify and healthy women's self-perception and motivations to perform in a VO2 max test. A total of 31 women (21.12 ± 2.01) completed the research. The study was divided into two principal tests. On the one hand, the measurement of a sub-maximal incremental stress test following established ASCM indications. Heart rate and ventilatory parameters were measured during the stress test using a metabolic measurement system and a gas analyser. After the test, the study sample completed the self-completed Healthy Lifestyle Questionnaire and the International Short Form Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ-SF), and the Self Report of Reasons for Physical Activity (AMPEF). Correlation between VO2 Max and average weight and body image (r = .001) was detected, showing the positive relationship between both values. The results obtained help confirm the importance of a positive self-perception in women regarding their weight and body image for better physical performance. Although these findings cannot be generalized, they establish a potential relationship between better physical performance and self-perception in most adults.