Women's Experiences Research Articles

'Listen to women as if they were your most cherished person': Australian women's perspectives on living with the pain of endometriosis: A mixed-methods study.

This mixed-methods study used an online cross-sectional survey to explore perspectives of 533 adult Australian women living with endometriosis pain, and their relationship with biopsychosocial factors. Four themes were constructed: The primary theme, 'Stigma and change' reflected women's experience of dismissal, and the wish to reverse the narrative of pain as normal. Some women emphasised self-education and self-advocacy to affect change, reflecting the theme 'self-empowerment'. Participants described the 'debilitating impact' of endometriosis and the enduring difficulty of 'inadequate healthcare', reflecting themes three and four. Analysis indicated type of social support may impact perceived outcomes for endometriosis. Hierarchical regression analyses indicated too few significant relationships between biopsychosocial factors and themes to indicate meaningful patterns without risk of common method variance. Future research should explore the influence of social support and interventions which develop participant autonomy and practitioner competence and knowledge, using disease-specific measures over time.

"We are mothers, sisters, and lovers too": Examining young Black women's experiences navigating sex and sexual health.

In Canada, there is a lack of research that addresses the sexual health and well-being of African, Caribbean, and Blackyoung women. This paper aims to gather perspectives of young Black women to address the social contexts of how young Black women navigate issues related to sex and sexual health. Young Black women experience unique dynamics in navigating their sexualities and sexual healthcare. The nuanced experiences stem from social contexts with historical underpinnings, such as the perception of Black women's bodies, Black identity, gender roles, and sexual double standards. This Community-Based Participatory Researchstudy (N = 24) utilized focus groups to examine young Black women's experiences navigating sexual health. Employing a thematic analysis, participants identified four themes representing their narratives of navigating sexual health. The themes included the perceptions and hypersexuality of Black women's bodies, navigating sexual double standards and gender roles as Black women, diverse Blackness, and migration experiences concerning sexual health and surveillance of Black women's bodies. This paper is intended to add to scholarly discourse and will include practical strategies for use by researchers and community practitioners in sexual health within the Black community.

“I was told I either came back or I lost my job”: a qualitative study of the experiences of Australian women navigating the return-to-work following early pregnancy loss

ABSTRACT Early pregnancy loss, defined as pregnancy loss prior to 20 weeks’ gestation, occurs in about one in five pregnancies. Although there has been research on women’s experiences of healthcare and social support following miscarriage, research into workplace support is relatively limited. In this study, we explored women’s experiences of returning to work following early pregnancy loss, drawing on data from semi-structured interviews with 13 Australian women. Thematic analysis generated three main themes: returning to work too soon, decisions about disclosure and the importance of a flexible workplace. Findings revealed that return to work can be a difficult process to navigate, with many reporting feeling pressured to return to work. While disclosure of their miscarriage enabled women to feel supported by their colleagues and connect to those with a similar experience, they often found disclosure challenging. Flexibility with leave, return-to-work arrangements and role adjustments were highly valued and helped women return to work. Findings revealed that workplace context and culture were important in the extent to which women felt supported by their workplace. This suggests that there may be a need for structural workplace changes to improve women's experiences of returning to work following early pregnancy loss.

Autistic Women’s Experiences of the Perinatal Period: A Systematic Mixed Methods Review

AbstractThe perinatal period has challenges for autistic women. This review synthesises evidence on the experiences of autistic women during the perinatal period. This mixed methods evidence synthesis followed JBI guidance for mixed methods systematic reviews. The Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool assessed study quality. Thematic analysis was used to synthesise findings. Thirteen studies were included. Themes identified included sensory demands of the perinatal period are frequently overwhelming; experiencing healthcare as an autistic person is challenging; parenting as an autistic mother has difficulties but also rewards; predictability and control are important in labour and birth. Individualised care with reasonable adjustments can make a difference to the perinatal experiences of autistic women. Despite challenges, autistic women also have many strengths as mothers.

Dalit Women’s Subsistence: Covert and Overt Marginalization in the COVID-19 Pandemic Times of India

People in the marginalized category struggle to establish a standard subsistence and maintain a quality of living. The relentless waves of the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdowns were met by their vulnerabilities and insecurities. Dalit women from the most underprivileged groups often have less access to essential services such as healthcare and sanitation and are exposed to health hazards and diseases. The marginalization experienced by Dalit women during the pandemic has serious implications for their well-being and livelihoods. However, this is influenced by societal and political pressures from multiple dimensions and Dalit women face this because of their caste. Dalits, who have long suffered from social exclusion due to untouchability practices, suffer from a second form of social isolation and alienation due to COVID-19, making them the victims of double exclusion. Dalit women experienced a loss of means of subsistence and more sexual and physical harassment during the COVID-19 outbreak. In these challenging times, it is critical to observe and examine both the surface-level concerns and profound problems that Dalit women experience. By doing this, we can seek to achieve sustainable solutions that prioritize the well-being of minority communities.

Introduction to the Special Issue on Situating the Intersectional Experiences of Black Girls and Women in Computing & Technology

This special issue builds on and expands computing’s engagement with Black feminist epistemologies like Intersectionality and Black Feminist Thought, exploring the intersectional experiences of Black girls and women in computing, technology, and computing education and workforce. The set of articles examines, explores, and uncovers structural and systemic barriers in computing, CS education, and technology; the roles of social supports and social capital in ensuring Black women thrive; quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods approaches that center Black girls and women instead of making them comparative groups to white or other people of color of all genders; and issues around equity and inclusivity in computing, CS education, and technology more broadly. Taken together, this collection serves as a model for centering one community often marginalized in computing, technology, and computing education: Black girls and women.

“Ritual Purity” Reimagined: Eco-Friendly Menstrual Practices and Emotional Well-being in Muslim Women

This study delves into the intricate interplay between menstrual practices and the use of menstrual products in India, entangled with religious and cultural beliefs categorizing menstruating bodies as “ritually impure.” This study investigates the experiences of Muslim women using reusable menstrual products (RMP). The findings highlight a limited yet impactful group of Muslim women comfortable with RMP usage, indicating heightened emotional well-being and body positivity. Participants emphasized the need to raise awareness among menstruators to adopt ecofriendly alternatives. The study calls for further research to promote RMP usage, emphasizing eco-friendly and sustainable menstrual practices in India.

Tending to the machine: The impact of intrapartum fetal surveillance on women in Australia

Qualitative research about women and birthing people’s experiences of fetal monitoring during labour and birth is scant. Labour and birth is often impacted by wearable or invasive monitoring devices, however, most published research about fetal monitoring is focused on the wellbeing of the fetus. This manuscript is derived from a larger mixed methods study, ‘WOmen’s Experiences of Monitoring Baby (The WOMB Study)’, aiming to increase understanding of the experiences of women and birthing people in Australia, of being monitored; and about the information they received about fetal monitoring devices during pregnancy. We constructed a national cross-sectional survey that was distributed via social media in May and June, 2022. Responses were received from 861 participants. As far as we are aware, this is the first survey of the experiences of women and birthing people of intrapartum fetal monitoring conducted in Australia. This paper comprises the analysis of the free text survey responses, using qualitative and inductive content analysis. Two categories were constructed, Tending to the machine, which explores participants’ perceptions of the way in which clinicians interacted with fetal monitoring technologies; and Impressions of the machine, which explores the direct impact of fetal monitoring devices upon the labour and birth experience of women and birthing people. The findings suggest that some clinicians need to reflect upon the information they provide to women and birthing people about monitoring. For example, freedom of movement is an important aspect of supporting the physiology of labour and managing pain. If freedom of movement is important, the physical restriction created by a wired cardiotocograph is inappropriate. Many participants noticed that clinicians focused their attention primarily on the technology. Prioritising the individual needs of the woman or birthing person is key to providing high quality woman-centred intrapartum care. Women should be provided with adequate information regarding the risks and benefits of different forms of fetal monitoring including how the form of monitoring might impact her labour experience.

Anti-Blackness in Schools of Social Work: A Black Feminist Polyethnography

ABSTRACT Considering the significant contributions of Black women social workers to our profession, and the unyielding stressors and expectations disproportionately affecting Black women in the context of Black Lives Matter and COVID-19, addressing anti-Blackness and understanding the lived experiences of Black women within higher education are essential first steps toward eliminating racism, the 13th and most recently adopted Grand Challenge. Guided by Black feminist polyethnography, this study examined how anti-Blackness is collectively felt and experienced by six Black and mixed Black women faculty and graduate students in schools of social work over their academic careers. Initial steps schools of social work can take to acknowledge and address manifestations of anti-Blackness within existing policies, procedures, curriculum, and dominant school culture are discussed.

Social Safety for Black Women in Perinatal Health Care: A Concept Analysis

IntroductionNon‐Hispanic Black women and their infants experience the worst pregnancy‐related outcomes in the United States. Social safety is a health‐relevant resource found in environments communicating safety, connectedness, inclusion, and protection. Approaches promoting social safety may be particularly relevant to preventing adverse perinatal health outcomes among Black women. However, there remains a lack of conceptual clarity. The purpose of this concept analysis was to provide a theoretical clarification of the concept social safety for Black women within perinatal health care.MethodsPubMed, PsycINFO, and CINAHL were searched using Boolean search strategy. Retrieved articles were managed in Zotero. Duplicates were removed, and each article was assessed and categorized by both investigators. Articles reporting Black women's perinatal health care experiences were included. Thematic analysis guided by Rodgers’ evolutionary method identified defining attributes, antecedents, and consequences of social safety in perinatal care for Black women.ResultsSocial safety for Black women is defined as the process of feeling understood, respected, cared for, and in control in perinatal health care settings that make space, care for, and recognize strengths, thereby cultivating safety and empowerment.DiscussionSocial safety offers actionable insights for practice and research that have the potential to drive positive change in perinatal care delivery for Black women. Developing interventions and measurements that are valid, reliable, and reflect social safety are essential to promote positive experiences and equity in health care practices and policies.

“On the books” yet “off the record”-occupational injury and migrant women: scoping review findings from OECD countries, with implications for New Zealand

IntroductionLittle appears to be known regarding the work-related injury (WRI) experiences of migrants (those born in a country other than their identified host country) and specifically, women migrants.MethodsAs part of a wider PhD project investigating the WRI experiences of New Zealand (NZ) migrants, a review of NZ mainstream media coverage of migrants WRIs was undertaken, which identified no representations of migrant women's WRI experiences. In turn, a scoping review was undertaken to identify peer-reviewed publications reporting empirical findings about WRI experiences and outcomes for migrants in Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) member countries, including NZ. This paper aims to identify and describe findings for migrant women specifically. From 2,243 potential publications, 383 proceeded to full text review; ultimately 67 were retained. These 67 publications were reviewed to identify findings specifically for occupationally injured migrant women; 22 such publications (from 21 studies) were found. This paper reports: the characteristics of identified studies; characteristics of migrant women within; frameworks and theories used, and knowledge (and gaps) related to occupationally injured migrant women.ResultsPublications came from only four OECD countries, the United States, Canada, Australia, and Spain. A range of study designs, and topic areas (working conditions, legal rights, identities, the role of gatekeepers, and precarity), were identified; however, only three studies reported findings for longer-term experiences and outcomes of WRIs. Nine publications considered theoretical models underpinning research, including theories about precarious work, stigmatization, and citizenship. However, there was a paucity of analyses of the WRI experience throughout the life-course, highlighting a gap in understanding of how these experiences are “lived” over the long term by occupationally injured migrant women.DiscussionScoping review findings were synthesized using a provisional “matryoshka framing narrative” model, to be refined through forthcoming qualitative interviews with occupationally injured NZ migrant women. This model highlights the multitude of influences in WRI experiences, potentially specific to migrant women, suggesting the consequences of WRIs may be uneven, with migrant women experiencing different, and potentially, greater disparities in outcomes. These findings provide an impetus to investigate knowledge gaps and urgently address potential disparities in WRI outcomes for migrant women specifically.

Predictors and experiences of seeking abortion services from pharmacies in Nepal.

Abortion was legalized in Nepal in 2002; however, despite evidence of safety and quality provision of medical abortion (MA) pills by pharmacies in Nepal and elsewhere, it is still not legal for pharmacists to provide medication abortion in Nepal. However, pharmacies often do provide MA, but little is known about who seeks abortions from pharmacies and their experiences and outcomes. The purpose of this study is to understand the experiences of women seeking MA from a pharmacy, abortion complications experienced, and predictors for denial of MA. Data was collected from women seeking MA from four pharmacies in two districts of Nepal in 2021-2022. Data was collected at baseline (N = 153) and 6 weeks later (N = 138). Using descriptive results and multi-variable regression models, we explore differences between women who received and did not receive MA and predictors of denial of services. Most women requesting such pills received MA (78%), with those who were denied most commonly reporting denial due to the provider saying they were too far along. There were few socio-demographic differences between groups, with the exception of education and gestational age. Women reported receiving information on how to take pills and what to do about side effects. Just under half (45%) of women who took pills reported no adverse symptoms after taking them and only 13% sought care. Most women seeking MA from pharmacists in Nepal are receiving services, information, and having few post-abortion symptoms. This study expands the previous limited research on pharmacy provision of MA in Nepal using a unique dataset that recruits women at the time of abortion seeking and follows them over time, overcoming potential biases present in other study designs. This suggests that expansion of the law to allow pharmacy distribution would increase accessibility and reflect current practice.

Social rights in relation to digitalization, mobile phone, and internet use – experiences of women in homelessness: a qualitative study

ABSTRACT Given the fact that women in homelessness face considerable health inequities, the question of how digitalization can be understood in relation to social rights and right to health surfaces. The objective of this qualitative interview study was to explore the use of mobile phones and internet for women experiencing homelessness. Women (n = 26) shared experiences of healthcare access by using a mobile phone or internet. Data were analyzed using NVivo software. The results are presented in two themes: Conditions and circumstances of having a mobile phone; and Structural and intrapersonal challenges affecting social rights. The results show that digitalization actively influenced everyday life for women experiencing homelessness. Whether women wanted it to or not, digitalization presents a line of demarcation for participation and inclusion or exclusion, in health- and social-care services.

Making It Work—Experiences of Women Who Engage in Technological Making at Home

Abstract This paper presents the results of a 5-month diary study into the practices and routines that develop around technological making in the home, particularly focused on the experiences of women, as they continue to be an underrepresented group in the maker community. In this study, we provided participants with an entry-level electronics making kit. Over the course of twenty weeks, the participants documented their making activities via photos, videos, text messages and taking part in interviews. By means of interpretative phenomenological analysis, we identified six core themes related to women’s experiences with technological making in the home. These experiences ranged from positive—feeling challenged, proud of accomplishments, inspired; to negative—feeling frustrated, guilty due to lack of progress or confused and overwhelmed. These experiences are discussed and contextualized by aspects related to hurdles experienced by the participants, and success factors that contribute to proactive engagement with making in the home. Research Highlights Twenty-week photo diary study and interpretative phenomenological analysis. Identification of six core themes based on empirical data on experiences with technological making in the home context. Discourse around thresholds to engage women in technological making and the maker community. Design and research directions to reduce barriers in technological making.

Madness and Resistance under the Flashback and Juxtaposition—Spatial Narration in The Bell Jar

The Bell Jar, the only novel by American poet and writer Sylvia Plath, vividly portrays the marginalized experience of American women in the mid-20th century and depicts the struggles of female intellectuals in constructing their own identities.This paper, by using the concepts of flashback and juxtaposition in spatial narration theory, explores three key aspects: the physical spatial changes in the whole story, the interplay between psychological and physical spaces under flashbacks and juxtaposition, and the protagonist Esther’s resistance against the male-dominated society and her awakening of female consciousness in the bell jar. It analyzes how Esther’s psychological space evolves within the ever-shifting physical spaces, leading to her feelings of helplessness, despair, and madness. Furthermore, it examines how through her rebellious madness, Esther achieves her awakening of female consciousness, constructs her own identity as a female intellectual, and raises her voice in a male-dominated society oppressive at the time.

The reproductive journeys of French women over 40 seeking assisted reproductive technology treatments in Spain

Fertility decline is a complex phenomenon resulting from converging social and cultural changes that are governed through politics. As it has been discussed in many studies, the European's low fertility rate goes hand in hand with the trend of maternity postponement. Although in many European countries over the last decades reproduction is envisaged as an individual choice that can be made at older ages, having a child after a certain age can be impossible -either “naturally” or using assisted reproductive technology-depending on the medical and legislative possibilities and limits of the country in which people live. In the extremely diverse European reproscape, reproductive legislations have forced but also allowed many people to seek reproductive treatments outside their home countries.Spain is a leading destination in Europe for cross border reproductive travel and, of the foreigners it receives, the French are the largest group. Despite having a history of strong pro-natalist policies, France has been one of the strictest European countries regarding access to medically assisted procreation. Until 2022, only heterosexual couples in which women were under 43 years of age could access treatments. Despite the recent opening of access to “all women”, including single women and same-sex female couples, women over 43 years of age were once again excluded from the new legal framework and therefore remain condemned to travel abroad to access reproductive treatments. In this article, we analyze the experience of French women over 40 who cross the Spanish border to access reproductive treatments in order to fulfill their desire to have children. Through ethnographic data emerging from six years of participant observation and in-depth interviews with 15 women, we explore why they remain excluded from the French system of reproductive governance and the obstacles they face during their reproductive journey.

Race and Religion in Everyday Life: Antisemitism, Islamophobia, and Christian Privilege Among Female Converts in the Netherlands

Abstract This article analyzes how the intersections of race and religion impact the experiences of women converting to Judaism, Christianity, or Islam in the Netherlands. It builds on the innovative historical and philosophical work by scholars who call attention to the intersections of race and religion. In ethnographic studies of female converts such entanglements of race and religion have primarily been noted in the case of white converts in Islam. However, research into race and racialization among Christian and Jewish female converts is rare, and a comparative approach even rarer. A bottom-up comparative approach, I argue, has the potential to critically examine not only the positions of religio-racialized minorities, but also the mechanisms of religious/racial hegemony at work in Western Europe. The article thus explores how becoming a religious minority impacts one’s sense of belonging to the nation and how processes of racialization, specifically antisemitism and Islamophobia, impact the conversion process.

Co-creation of a toolkit to assist risk communication and clinical decision-making in severe preeclampsia: SPOT-Impact study design

ABSTRACT Globally, the incidence of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, especially preeclampsia, remains high, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. The burden of adverse maternal and perinatal outcomes is particularly high for women who develop a hypertensive disorder remote from term (<34 weeks). In parallel, many women have a suboptimal experience of care. To improve the quality of care in terms of provision and experience, there is a need to support the communication of risks and making of treatment decision in ways that promote respectful maternity care. Our study objective is to co-create a tool(kit) to support clinical decision-making, communication of risks and shared decision-making in preeclampsia with relevant stakeholders, incorporating respectful maternity care, justice, and equity principles. This qualitative study detailing the exploratory phase of co-creation takes place over 17 months (Nov 2021-March 2024) in the Greater Accra and Eastern Regions of Ghana. Informed by ethnographic observations of care interactions, in-depth interviews and focus group and group discussions, the tool(kit) will be developed with survivors and women with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and their families, health professionals, policy makers, and researchers. The tool(kit) will consist of three components: quantitative predicted risk (based on external validated risk models or absolute risk of adverse outcomes), risk communication, and shared decision-making support. We expect to co-create a user-friendly tool(kit) to improve the quality of care for women with preeclampsia remote from term which will contribute to better maternal and perinatal health outcomes as well as better maternity care experience for women in Ghana.

American Rural–Nonrural Differences in Motherhood Wage Penalties

A rich body of literature has studied variances in motherhood wage penalties. Yet studies have not explored American rural–nonrural differences in this phenomenon. The spatial differences in women's experiences deserve exploration. Based on prior studies, rural mothers may experience greater wage penalties than nonrural mothers because of their high marriage rates, low educational levels, and the traditional gender attitudes and norms in rural communities. However, they may experience smaller penalties because rural job structures lack diversity and jobs there tend to be low‐paid. This paper uses fixed‐effects models to examine the rural–nonrural differences in motherhood wage penalties, with data from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth (NLSY79). The results show that although rural women reported lower education levels and higher marriage rates than nonrural women, they experienced smaller motherhood wage penalties than nonrural women partially because they were more likely to work in low‐paid occupations and industries.

Women's Experiences of Sexual Harassment in Online Gaming.

To better understand the types of sexual harassment women experience in online gaming, their labeling of such experiences, and the relationship between the perpetrator and the victim, we surveyed women gamers to inquire about their experiences. Participants were 182 women from North America who played online video games. Overall, 56.6% of participants reported experiencing one or more types of sexual harassment during online gaming. Additionally, 45.6% of participants reported witnessing one or more types of sexual harassment perpetrated against other women. About half (50.5%) of participants who had experienced harassment labeled their own experiences as "sexual harassment," and 42.2% labeled the behaviors that they witnessed against someone else as "sexual harassment." Results speak to the need for prevention interventions to protect women gamers.