Strategies For Women Research Articles

Ukrainian women's maternity care strategies in Poland after the outbreak of the full-scale war: Understanding unequal access to quality care

The outbreak of the full-scale war launched by Russia against Ukraine and, following it, significant migrations have not only increased the diversity of the Ukrainian migrant population in Poland, but also added to the complexity of their health needs and strategies. This study seeks to explore Ukrainian migrant women's experiences and practices related to the use of maternity care services. The article is based on fieldwork conducted between February and October 2023 and included 23 semi-structured interviews with Ukrainian migrant women who gave birth in Poland after February 24, 2022. To understand Ukrainian women's pathways to maternity care in Poland and unpack the differences in experiences within this group of migrants, we explore participants' healthcare strategies against the background of existing inequalities in access to quality care in Poland and Ukraine, in particularly the division between private and public services. We consider the role of financial, social and cultural resources and distinguish for this purpose between three groups of permanent, circular and wartime migrants. We show the decisive role of economic resources, nonetheless in articulation with the creation and mobilisation of social networks and time spent in Poland, which play a role in shaping migrant women's capacity to access better maternity care.

Gender in Portuguese Firefighters: The Experiences and Strategies of Women

Gender in Portuguese Firefighters: The Experiences and Strategies of Women

Type D Personality, Stress Levels, and Coping Strategies in Women with Androgenetic Alopecia and Polycystic Ovary Syndrome.

BACKGROUND The study was aimed to determine level of stress and using of coping strategies and frequency of type D personality in women with androgenetic alopecia with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), to correlate personality type with level of stress and coping strategies, and to correlate severity of alopecia with personality type, level of stress, and coping strategies. MATERIAL AND METHODS The study was conducted in 2023 and included 146 Polish women aged 18 to 45 years with androgenetic alopecia and PCOS. A questionnaire containing social-demographic data, gynecological and obstetric history, health history, history of diagnosis, and treatment of PCOS in the past and present. Three standardized questionnaires were used: the Type-D Scale (DS)-14, Perceived Stress Scale (PSS)-10, and Coping Orientation to Problems Experienced (COPE) inventory. RESULTS Type D personality was found in 45% of patients. Most patients perceived high levels of stress (44%) and most frequently used active and supportive strategies, with avoidance strategies being less frequent. Women with type D personality experienced significantly higher levels of stress, used active strategies less often, and used avoidant strategies more often. Stages of androgenetic alopecia did not correlate with type D personality or levels of perceived stress. CONCLUSIONS In women with androgenetic alopecia, type D personality is determinative of a high level of perceived stress and more frequent use of dysfunctional coping strategies. The severity of the condition did not correlate with personality type and level of stress, while it was related to certain coping strategies.

Strategies of Women’s Behaviour in Eighteenth-Century Courts (as Reflected in the Materials of the Investigative Chancellery)

This article analyses the main ways of acquittal and defence of women in Russian courts in the second quarter of the eighteenth century. Women’s experiences of the investigative and judicial process in eighteenth-century Russia have not been the subject of specific research in historiography, nor have the discursive practices of male and female investigators. The paper focuses on two main questions: Were the accused able to construct their own narratives and thus influence the course of the trial? Were the female perpetrators able to exploit the existing gender order and turn it to their advantage? The aim of this article is to examine what opportunities for self-defence the modern Russian legal system offered, what limitations it imposed, how sensitive it was to the gender of the accused, and how women on trial were able to influence the course of the trial. The study is based on a series of investigative materials produced by the Investigative Chancellery between 1730 and 1750. By analysing the speeches of the accused, their typology and comparing the information they contain with other testimonies, laws and judgements, it is possible to identify the main ways in which women were acquitted. The most common of these were “word and deed”, in the hope of being transferred to another institution or of delaying the sentence for the main offence; the inclusion of third parties in their testimony, referring to subornation or rape; false statements, including those concerning their social status; and the declaration of insanity. However, the only way of obtaining an acquittal that had any chance of success was for the accused to declare that she was pregnant. In general, the criminal process in modern Russia was structured in such a way that no strategies or tricks were taken into account. In the end, the only thing that mattered was the testimony of witnesses and the testimony of the accused under torture.

WOMEN'S EMPOWERMENT STRATEGY AS AN EFFORT INCREASING THE ROLE OF WOMEN IN NAGRAK VILLAGE SUKABUMI DISTRICT

The lack of involvement of women in the development process has impacts especially on women themselves. There are aspirations that will be more effective if championed by women who specifically understand their needs. Women need to be empowered so they can function as subjects and objects in development. The aim of the research is to find out and analyze women's empowerment strategies as an effort to increase the role of women in Nagrak Village. This research uses a qualitative approach and descriptive methods. The results of the first research, the strategy for implementing women's empowerment programs as an effort to increase the role of women implemented by the Nagrak Village Government has 4 series of strategies, including; (1) field orientation, (2) inventory of problems and abilities, (3) personal approach, and (4) cooperation program. Second, the achievements of the women's empowerment program as an effort to increase the role of women by; (1) increasing involvement of women in various fields (2) increasing women's capacity by having understanding and skills. Third, there are 2 categories of obstacles faced by the Nagrak Village Government, namely; (1) internal barriers and (2) external barriers. Fourth, efforts that can be made to resolve existing problems include; (1) carry out consultations and coordination with the Sukabumi Regency Regional Government (through related agencies). (2) formulate and establish policies with a gender justice perspective. (3) building a partnership network with external parties.

Exploring Work-Life Balance: Challenges and Strategies for Women in the Modern Professional Landscape

The current professional landscape poses distinct difficulties and possibilities for women seeking work-life balance. This research investigates the many hurdles that women experience while managing job expectations with personal life duties, as well as successful techniques for overcoming these obstacles. Gender prejudices, uneven family obligations, and the impact of distant work on personal time are among the most significant difficulties. This study identifies strategies for improving work-life balance for women through a comprehensive literature review and qualitative analysis of women's experiences across various industries. These strategies include flexible working arrangements, organizational support, and personal time management techniques. The findings emphasize the necessity of policy changes, workplace culture adjustments, and individual resilience in creating an egalitarian professional environment. By addressing these issues, the research hopes to add to the ongoing discussion on gender equality and work-life integration, providing practical insights for employers, legislators, and female professionals. KEYWORD: Flexible Working Arrangement, Women professionals, Gender equality, Professional landscape, Gender biases, Career and family balance

Bobby pins, belts and diets: Survival strategies of women political prisoners within the gendered carceral regime at Alderson Prison, 1944–1960

AbstractThis article examines the gendered carceral regime at the Federal Industrial Reformatory for Women at Alderson, West Virginia that was created by its first superintendent, Mary Belle Harris and the experiences of three women political prisoners – Grace Holmes Carlson, Helen Bryan and Elizabeth Gurley Flynn – who served time at Alderson between 1944 and 1960. It offers a critical analysis of Carlson's, Bryan's and Flynn's firsthand accounts of their time in prison to reveal these women's strategies for surviving Alderson's reforming mission that included, paradoxically, both a rejection of the middle‐class femininity inherent in that mission and, at times, an accommodation to it.

Exploring the Role of Masturbation as a Coping Strategy in Women

Objectives Recent findings suggest that individuals tend to engage in masturbation more frequently when experiencing elevated levels of psychological stress, and there appears to be distinguishable effects on stress response based on clitoral and vaginal stimulation. In this concurrent mixed-method study, we aimed to investigate this association in more detail using a convenience sample of 370 women. Methods Quantitative data were used to examine whether higher psychological distress was associated with higher levels of masturbation frequency depending on the mode of stimulation, while qualitative data gave further insight into this association. Results In regression analysis, higher levels of general and subscale-specific psychological distress were significantly associated with higher clitoral, but not combined clitoral and vaginal masturbation frequency. Qualitative content analysis showed that masturbation was used as a reliable coping strategy and self-care strategy which induced positive affective states, such as happiness and relaxation. Very few women reported negative feelings associated with masturbation. Mixed-method analysis revealed that women who indicated to use of masturbation for coping or self-care or who reported negative feelings did not differ in their level of psychological distress from women who did not report using it. The positive effects of masturbation were not related to the mode of stimulation. Conclusions Results showed the complexity of how psychological distress is related to sexual activity and point to the potential benefits of masturbation for dealing with psychological distress and for enhancing general well-being. Our results have various implications for researchers, clinicians, and society.

Subsistence and Survival: Strategies Women in the Republic of Barbados Engaged in Transactional Sex Work Employ to Stay Safe

ABSTRACT Women engaged in sex work (WESW) are at increased risk for exposure to work setting violence. This phenomenological study examines the experience of work setting violence and strategies utilized to maintain safety for WESW in Republic of Barbados in the Caribbean. In-depth, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 30 cis-gender WESW in Barbados. This study found participants experienced work-related violence that includes physical assault, rape, robbery, kidnapping, and attempted murder. Participants were actively engaged in strategies for maintaining safety that were central to their business practices. Moreover, local HIV prevention intervention efforts including condom assertiveness training, free condom distribution, and rapid, accessible STI testing further enabled participants to assert and enforce safe business practices. Unfortunately, poor economic conditions at the time of the study, which reduced the market of available customers who were willing to pay full price while increasing the number of WESW, diminished the participants’ power to insist on safe business practices. This has implications for interventions to prevent and counteract gender-based violence, as well as gender-based social and economic development efforts.

Bacterial Flora and Treatment Strategies in Women With Escherichia coli Urinary Tract Infections.

Introduction This study explores the intricate relationship between bacterial flora and the occurrence of Escherichia coli (E. coli) infections in gynecological patients. It aims to provide insights into the various treatment strategies used to effectively manage bacterial pathogens, especially E. coli infections. By conducting a comprehensive analysis of the bacterial flora in gynecological patients, the study highlights the notable presence of E. coli, promptingfurther investigation into the factors that contribute to its colonization. The objective of the study is to comprehensively investigate and detect urinary tract infections (UTIs) specifically caused by E. coli among gynecological patients. The study aims to delve into bacterial flora prevalence, antibiotic resistance patterns, and potential virulence factors. Through this analysis, the study intends to identify effective strategies for rapid detection and diagnosis of UTIs caused by E. coliby utilizing advanced microbiological and molecular techniques. Furthermore, the study aims to formulate and propose a strategic treatment approach with a particular emphasis on selecting appropriate antibiotics to reduce the risk of severe infections and associated complications. Materials and methods The methodology employed in this study included the isolation and characterization of bacterial strains from clinical samples obtained from gynecological patients. A total of 52 urine specimens were collected from patients with complaints of infection in the urinary tract and infertility. These samples underwent both preliminary and confirmatory microbiological analysis, such as gram staining, biochemical confirmation test, and antibiotic susceptibility, and further proceeded with the multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique. The results of PCR and antibiotic susceptibility revealed the specific gene involvement and resistant characteristics of E. coli. Results The findings revealed a total of 32 specimens positive for E. coli, of which 10 patients had infertility complaints and 22 patients had UTIs. The preliminary test, gram staining, showed the gram-negative bacilli E. coli, and the nutrient agar plate revealed smooth circular translucent colonies; MacConkey agar showed pink-colored lactose-fermented colonies; and the blood and chocolate agar plates showed grayish white moist gamma-hemolytic colonies. The biochemical confirmation of E. coli resulted in positive for indole and methyl red tests and negative for Voges-Proskauer and citrate utilization tests. The multiplex PCR analysis confirmed the E. coli strains with the presence of two target genes,stx2d and stx2e. Conclusion To summarize, this study offers valuable insights into the bacterial flora of gynecological patients impacted by E. coli infections, which provides a foundation for the development of precise and efficient treatment strategies. The results emphasize the importance of personalized treatment approaches that consider both the microbiological characteristics of the infection and the evolving landscape of antibiotic resistance. The implication of this research extends to enhancing clinical outcomes and alleviating the burden of E. coli infections in gynecological settings.

Analysis of Purchasing Power and Purchasing Tendency for Modern Chinese Women

This paper analyzes the consumption strategies of today's women through different perspectives and delves into the reasons for the changes in women's purchasing power in different eras. Modern women are more independent, emphasize quality, pursue fashion and health, and are willing to shop through various channels and platforms. This makes Chinese women a necessary consumer force in the market. This paper analyzes sales strategies from both online and offline targeting women and comes up with targeted sales attraction methods to enhance women's purchasing power. With many emerging female consumer groups being formed, companies can develop sales strategies to target their products according to the behavioral characteristics of female consumers. This paper analyzes both online and offline strategies for women's consumption tendencies. It also shows women's sales strategies from the general and independent sales perspectives. Understanding women's needs and tendencies is essential for companies to succeed in the Chinese market. This paper conducts a comprehensive study based on this perspective.

Complete Revascularization Strategies in Women and Men With Acute Coronary Syndrome and Multivessel Disease

This prespecified substudy of the randomized BIOVASC trial aimed to compare immediate complete revascularization (ICR) and staged complete revascularization (SCR) in patients with ACS and MVD, stratified by sex. The primary endpoint consisted of a composite of all-cause mortality, myocardial infarction, unplanned ischemia driven revascularization (UIDR) and cerebrovascular events at 1 year follow-up. Secondary endpoints included the individual components of the primary composite and major bleedings. We used Cox regression models to relate randomized treatment with study endpoints. We evaluated multiplicative and additive interactions between sex and randomized treatment. The BIOVASC trial enrolled 338 women and 1187 men. Women were older than men (median 71.6 vs. 63.7 years, p<0.001) and had a higher prevalence of COPD (10.1% vs. 5.6%, p=0.003), renal insufficiency (7.7% vs. 4.4%, p=0.015) and hypertension (60.4% vs. 51.7%, p=0.005). In women, the composite primary outcome occurred in 7.3% vs. 12.9% (hazard ratio [HR] 0.53, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.26 to 1.08) in patients randomized to ICR and SCR respectively and in men in 7.7% vs. 8.4% (HR 0.89, 95% CI 0.60 to 1.34), with no evidence of a differential effect (interaction pmultiplicative = 0.20, padditive = 0.87). No evidence of heterogeneity between women and men was found when comparing ICR with SCR in terms of the secondary outcomes. In conclusion, no differential treatment effect was found when comparing immediate complete revascularization versus staged complete revascularization in women or men presenting with ACS and MVD.

A jump into the deep end - Women's strategies on the way to VBAC in Poland

ProblemIn Poland, as in other high-income countries, the rate of caesarean sections (CS) is alarmingly high. Promoting vaginal birth after caesarean section (VBAC) is one of the ways that may help to decrease CS rate. Despite the recommendations by the Polish Association of Gynaecologists and Obstetricians that one previous CS should not be an indication for a subsequent one and VBAC should be promoted, the rate of VBAC in Poland remains low. BackgroundResearch shows that in countries with high VBAC rates women felt supported by healthcare personnel to have VBAC. AimThis study aims to explore the elements of Polish maternity services that contribute to or hinder women’s chances of having a VBAC. MethodsThe study used qualitative methods of research based on semi-structured interviews.We interviewed 22 women. Each woman was interviewed twice, once during pregnancy and then between 6 and 12 weeks after she had given birth. FindingWomen who planned vaginal birth after one previous CS engaged in various strategies such as seeking supportive personnel, opting for fee-for-service dedicated midwifery care or traveled long distances to give birth in facilities supporting VBAC. ConclusionsPolish maternity services do not support women on the way to vaginal birth after surgery. Access to VBAC in Poland is highly unequal and dependent on women’s social and financial resources such as access to private care, place of residence, or social relationships. Efforts should be made to make access to VBAC more universal.

Promoting Women's Well-Being: A Systematic Review of Protective Factors for Work-Family Conflict.

Work-family conflict is a prominent issue, especially in our society, where people are expected to fulfil many roles simultaneously. Work and family life demands significantly impact an individual's overall well-being, especially for women, since they typically balance caregiving for children and elderly relatives with careers. Therefore, highlighting which factors might protect women from experiencing work-family conflict is essential to enhance women's and their family's well-being. Thus, the main aim of the present study was to systematically review previous research on women's coping strategies and protective factors which can reduce the negative effects of work-family conflict. Following the PRISMA guidelines, we conducted a literature search of three databases (PubMed, PsycINFO, and Scopus). After the screening and the eligibility phases, we included a final set of 13 studies. Most of these studies adopted a cross-sectional design (N = 10), and a few adopted a longitudinal one (N = 3). Results highlighted the role of different personal (e.g., hardiness, self-esteem, locus of control) and relational factors (e.g., family and work support) that significantly reduce the negative effects of work-family conflict in women's lives. Findings, practical implications, and future research directions are discussed.

TCT-360 Complete Revascularization Strategies in Women and Men Presenting With Acute Coronary Syndrome and Multivessel Disease

TCT-360 Complete Revascularization Strategies in Women and Men Presenting With Acute Coronary Syndrome and Multivessel Disease

"Creepy Towards My Avatar Body, Creepy Towards My Body": How Women Experience and Manage Harassment Risks in Social Virtual Reality

Online harassment against women - particularly in gaming and virtual worlds contexts - remains a salient and pervasive issue, and arguably reflects the systems of offline structural oppression to control women's bodies and rights in today's world. Harassment in social Virtual Reality (VR) is also a growing new frontier of research in HCI and CSCW, particularly focusing on marginalized users such as women. Based on interviews with 31 women users of social VR, our findings present women's experiences of harassment risks in social VR as compared to harassment targeting women in pre-existing, on-screen online gaming and virtual worlds, along with strategies women employ to manage harassment in social VR with varying degrees of success. This study contributes to the growing body of literature on harassment in social VR by highlighting how women's marginalization online and offline impact their perceptions of and strategies to mitigate harassment in this unique space. It also provides a critical reflection on women's mitigation strategies and proposes important implications to rethink social VR design to better prevent harassment against women and other marginalized communities in the future metaverse.

Surviving in a male academia: gender gap, publication strategies and career stage in South European political science journals

Women’s underrepresentation in top political science journals has been a central concern of both the American Political Science Association and the European Consortium of Political Research, which have promoted studies to assess the extent and features of the gender gap. However, so far in Southern Europe, research on this topic has been scarce. Our work adds to the literature by presenting new data on three journals: the Italian Political Science Review, the Spanish Political Science Review and South European Society and Politics. The research has three main goals: to gauge the gender gap in the three journals; to examine whether gender influences publication preferences; and to investigate how career intersects with gendered publication strategies. The analysis is built on a database of almost 800 articles and about 1400 authors, published in these three journals in 2011–2022. Our main findings are that South European journals reveal a gender gap similar to other international journals, where just one-third of authors are women; that this publication gap is accompanied by gendered publication strategies; and that the routes men and women follow to succeed in academic publishing diverge at every career stage. Finally, we argue that women's preferred strategies may not offer the optimum path to career success.

THE SHAPING OF A GENDER NORM: MARRIAGE, LABOR, AND FOOT‐BINDING IN HISTORICAL CHINA

AbstractThis article presents a theory that explains the rise of foot‐binding in historical China, in response to a gender‐asymmetric social mobility shock that dispersed men's quality distribution in the marriage market. The theory characterizes the marriage market equilibrium and women's competition strategies before and after the shock. Empirical evidence using archival data corroborates the theoretical predictions that greater men's social mobility opportunities encouraged foot‐binding and that a greater cost of women's labor discouraged foot‐binding. The article thus highlights that costly gender norms can be traced back to gender asymmetry in social mobility opportunities.

Women's strategies for navigating a healthy sex life post-sexual trauma.

Sexual trauma is common. Consequences of sexual trauma can include deterioration of mental and physical health and it can also affect future romantic and sexual relationships. Previous studies have identified common healthy and destructive coping mechanisms to recover after experiencing sexual trauma, but few studies have investigated useful strategies to move into a healthy sexual relationship focused on resilience. In-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted with 41 women with a history of sexual trauma who were in a healthy sexual relationship at the time of participation. Participants provided strategies that helped them move beyond the sexually traumatic event(s) toward a healthy sexual relationship. Reflexive thematic analysis identified 5 effective and 6 ineffective strategies reported by the participants. Rich examples of resilience and empowerment were overarching in the effective strategies used for moving toward healthy sexual relationships. Women were also able to reflect on the strategies that were ineffective for them with kindness and understanding for their coping at that time, a normalizing theme for women working through sexual trauma. The results of this study will help therapists and researchers working with women who have experienced sexual trauma learn from their experiences in working beyond trauma toward a healthy sexual relationship.

“You Have to Take Care of Your Own Mental Status”: Incarcerated Women Seeking Care Within and Beyond Mental Health Treatment

Incarcerated women in the United States commonly experience prison-based mental health treatment. Feminist scholars stress the need to explore how incarcerated women exercise agency while navigating controlling treatment dynamics and how they experience these dynamics in relation to aspects of their selves (e.g., their thoughts and feelings). To explore these dynamics, we conducted semi-structured individual interviews with 42 incarcerated women in a Midwestern state prison and with life history calendars, elucidated women's treatment encounters over time. Through analysis of these interviews, we contend that women experienced dehumanizing dynamics within treatment, particularly curtailed communication from the staff that silenced women, created unfamiliar selves, and contributed to physical harm and psychological harm. Based on these findings, we conceptualize prison-based mental health treatment as health harm rather than health care. We also found that women responded to controlling dynamics with forms of self-preservation including strategies of treatment decision-making that affirmed their selves, active treatment refusal as self-protection, and forming meaningful connections with others that validated aspects of their selves. Based on women's care-based strategies, further feminist theorizing and practice directions are needed that align with, build upon, and are guided by incarcerated women's varied definitions of care to improve their mental health and well-being.