Women's Responses Research Articles

"I Didn't Have a Choice": Experiences, Responses and Perceived Motivations for Reproductive Coercion and Abuse in Australian Women.

This study explored reproductive coercion and abuse (RCA) experiences of community-based victim/survivors, their responses to RCA, and perceived motivations for RCA. One hundred and one female RCA victim/survivors completed an online questionnaire. Intimate partners, family, friends, cultural/religious leaders, and health professionals were RCA perpetrators. Victim/survivors' RCA experiences were heterogeneous, incorporating a range of pregnancy-preventing and pregnancy-promoting RCA tactics. Women's response to RCA depended on how it was experienced; victim/survivors were more likely to reassert control when RCA was verbal and not physical. Finally, control was the primary motivator for RCA, followed by contextual factors, drug use, and religion/culture.

The relationship government, community, companions and economic empowerment of coastal women in Sampang Regency – Indonesia

The purpose of the research to study the role of stakeholders in empowerment economy Woman the coast in Sampang Regency Indonesia. Stakeholder involvement in empowerment programs economy Woman Coast is a very important role in the success of the program. This study uses a qualitative method with a descriptive research type. The location used in this study is in the coastal area of Sampang Regency. Data collection techniques are carried out using observation, interviews and documentation. While the data analysis technique uses a model Creswell. The results of the study state from the three stakeholders are government, community and companions Still not optimal. This is seen from the role of government in empowering coastal women's economy, both in organizing and implementing programs, has been quite good, but women's response Coast as program targets are still less. Besides less response is also very lacking in program sustainability so that the program that has been implemented not enough give optimal results. In addition, the activities of the assistants are only limited to the implementation of program activities. The role of assistants in understanding the success of empowerment programs and creating new entrepreneurs is still lacking.

Women's Responsiveness and Utilization of Family Planning and Childhood Immunization Services at Primary Health Care Clinics

Women's Responsiveness and Utilization of Family Planning and Childhood Immunization Services at Primary Health Care Clinics

Women's response regarding timing of genital surgery in congenital adrenal hyperplasia.

To study what adult women with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) thought about the timing of genital surgery. As part of a larger follow-up study performed between the years 2002-2005 there were questionnaires concerning genital surgery, type of surgery, their thoughts about timing of genital surgery and experience of information about surgery. Early surgery was defined as ≤4 years of age and late ≥10 years. The medical and surgical files were reviewed. 62 women with CAH due to 21-hydroxylase deficiency, mean age 28 years (18-63) were included. The age at first genital surgery was 3 years (0-28 years) in the 52 patients (84%) who had had genital surgery, with 60% had early surgery (≤4 years) and 29% late (≥10 years). Almost half of the cohort had a positive experience of the information about surgery, a third had no opinion and a fifth had a negative experience. Of the women 39% thought that early surgery was good, while 19% thought it should be done during or after puberty and 42% had no opinion. Of those preferring early surgery 70% had early surgery themselves. Vaginal surgery was less common among those favoring early surgery. Age, phenotype, genotype, decade of surgery and experience of the information about surgery did not differ significantly between the three groups. Equal numbers of women had no opinion regarding age at surgery or preferred early surgery while 19% thought it would be preferred to have surgery during or after puberty.

The Unique Impacts of COVID-19 on Low-Income and Diverse Canadian Women's Mental Health Profiles: A Latent Transition Analysis.

There is evidence of an overall decline in women's mental health, particularly those with young children, in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, research has also found heterogeneity in women's mental health responses. This longitudinal study sampled low-income women with young children by recruiting from the government's child care financial subsidy waitlist. To examine heterogeneity in women's mental health responses to COVID-19, a latent transition analysis was employed to identify profiles of anxiety, depression, and stress among 289 low-income mothers. Using these identified profiles, we examined the transitional patterns between profiles before and during COVID-19 and the sociodemographic and familial factors related to these profiles. A three-profile solution was identified prior to COVID-19 and a four-profile solution during COVID-19, with some profiles exhibiting qualitatively different defining characteristics. Latent transition analyses found diverse patterns of mental health changes after the onset of COVID-19. Mothers with better mental health prior to COVID-19 tended to have the most stable mental health during COVID-19. In contrast, mothers who were highly stressed prior to COVID-19 were equally likely to improve or decline after the onset of the pandemic. In addition, the relationships between race, parenting practices, child temperament, and child mental health were significantly related to mothers' mental health profiles. These findings describe mothers' experiences and areas where policymakers and practitioners can tailor support to low-income women with young children.

Womenʼs reflections on induction of labour and birthing interventions and what they would do differently next time: A content analysis

BackgroundInduction of labour (IOL) and birth intervention is increasingly conducted in Australia, and rates of maternal dissatisfaction and birth trauma are also on the rise. MethodsThe Birth Experience Study (BESt) national survey was conducted to explore women's experiences of birthing in Australia. This content analysis categorises components pertaining to IOL, and women's responses to the open-ended question: “Would you do anything different if you were to have another baby?” FindingsIn total, 591 responses on IOL resulted in 819 coded comments being coded into multiple categories/subcategories. In the first main category ‘increasing the chance of a spontaneous labour next time by resisting IOL’ (93.3 %), three subcategories were identified: ‘I would resist the pressure or refuse, especially if not a good indication’ (54.8 %, 419); ‘I will await spontaneous onset or delay the IOL until later’ (25.0 %, 191); and ‘I will be better informed next time’ (20.2 %, 154). In the second main category ‘accepting IOL was necessary or desirable’ (6.7 %), two subcategories were identified: ‘my IOL was justified or desired’ (38.2 %, 21) and ‘my IOL was justified or desired, but if there is a next time, I'd want more say in what happens’ (61.8 %, 34). ConclusionOverwhelmingly women expressed a desire to avoid IOL, along with the intention to: resist pressure, allow more time for spontaneous labour onset, and arm themselves with more knowledge to advocate against non-medically indicated justifications. Amongst the minority accepting of their previous IOLs, the majority stated wanting more say regarding when and how IOL was conducted.

Women's mental health and COVID-19: increased vulnerability and inequalities.

The impact of COVID-19 on mental health has become a relevant object of research. Studies have demonstrated that women have experienced greater mental health challenges, highlighting the importance of public health systems to address women's specific needs. This literature review explores the effects of the coronavirus pandemic on psychological distress among women, aiming to provide a comprehensive understanding of the subject and to explore how these research findings can guide public mental health care responses in crisis settings. A total of 131 studies were analyzed and four dimensions were discussed: study characteristics, factors impacting women's mental health in the pandemic setting, particularities of pregnancy and the postpartum period, and proposed interventions. Most studies exclusively addressed populations of adult women, predominantly during pregnancy and the postpartum period. Anxiety, depression, and stress were the most common outcomes. Lower education and income, preexisting mental health problems, and living alone or with children were risk factors for higher levels of anxiety and depression. A comprehensive care approach supported by public health policies and focused on intersectional factors, including race, socioeconomic status, and access to resources, is necessary to improve women's mental health care response in future crises.

Effects Of Cadence Changes During Uphill And Downhill Walking On Metabolic Responses In Women

Effects Of Cadence Changes During Uphill And Downhill Walking On Metabolic Responses In Women

"Despartares Decoloniales": The Implications of "Territorio Cuerpo-Tierra" for Studying Women's Embodied Resilience to Trauma in El Salvador, Central America.

We explore the implications of the concept of territorio cuerpo-tierra for conducting research on women's resilience to trauma and post-COVID-19 pandemic recovery in El Salvador, Central America. Cuerpo-territorio forces a reconceptualization of women's realities as bound to the embodiment of the geo-politics of gender, body, and land as territories, and thus, their realities as bound to the histories and temporality of those as territories. Through a series of despartares decoloniales (decolonial awakenings), we postulate that resilience research reproduces narrowly defined understanding of women's realities and responses to both the symbolic and physical conditions and adversities of their lives.

Factors Associated with Birth-Related Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms and the Subsequent Impact of Traumatic Birth on Mother-Infant Relationship Quality.

This study aimed to investigate factors associated with birth-related PTSD symptoms and the subsequent impact on mother-infant relationship quality, exploring what women felt they needed to be different about their birth process to further understand the problem. Participants were recruited using social media advertising. A multi-method approach, using qualitative and quantitative analyses, was employed. The study included 142 pregnant women residing in Australia aged between 19 and 42 years (M = 31.24; SD = 4.70). High extraversion significantly predicted greater birth-related PTSD symptoms. There was a significant relationship between birth-related PTSD symptoms and poorer mother-infant relationship quality. The content analysis of the responses from women who reported a desire for a different or improved birth experience generated four themes: (1) less intrusive intervention, (2) better communication, (3) access to more supportive intervention, and (4) better post-birth care. The findings highlight the importance of supporting women's choices during birth by promoting informed and respectful woman-centred care. Postnatally, the screening and assessment of women should go beyond mood screening and include an assessment of the woman's response to her birth experience.

The Context Matters: Women's Experiences of Their Partner's Odor in Intimate and Sexual Encounters.

Research shows that male body odor plays an important role in women's mate choice and that olfactory abilities are associated with women's sexual functioning. What remains unclear is what types of partner's odor actually shape women's experience during intimate activities. This study therefore explored women's experience associated with the partner's various odors and investigated how they affect women's intimate and sexual encounters. We performed semi-structured individual interviews with 20 single women and 20 women in a long-term relationship. Thematic analysis revealed four key natural odor types of the partner: body odor, sweat, genital odor, and semen odor. Further, we have identified three main types of fragrance odor (cologne, shower gel, and laundry agents) and investigated their perception in both intimate (hugging, kissing, cuddling, lying side by side) and sexual (intercourse, oral sex, ejaculation) contexts. Both partner's natural odor and fragrance affected women's emotional state (ranging from pleasant to unpleasant) and behavioral response (ranging from approach to avoidance of partner). Women's odor perception was frequently context-dependent, so that even mostly negatively perceived odors (e.g., semen, genital odor) were often accepted as part of sexual encounter. Finally, women's perception was negatively modified by partner's specific sweat (after workday, workout, or when the partner is ill) during intimate encounters. Our results highlight the complexity and interindividual variability of partner's odor perception.

Maternal and Child Welfare at the Raleigh Fitkin Memorial Hospital and the Swazi Women's Response, 1933-1945

Maternal and Child Welfare at the Raleigh Fitkin Memorial Hospital and the Swazi Women's Response, 1933-1945

Molar pregnancy: a qualitative study of personal experiences and societal narratives of loss

Background/Aims Molar pregnancy is a rare complication of pregnancy. Patients face surgery, human chorionic gonadotropin monitoring and potentially systemic treatment, resulting in unique support needs. This study's aim was to explore the impacts of gestational trophoblastic disease on embodied and emotional experience. Methods This qualitative study considered stories of molar pregnancy from 20 women in the UK, US, Canada and Australia. These were drawn from 18 publicly available online blogs and eight semi-structured interviews, and analysed thematically. Results Three themes were developed: ‘loss’, describing women's responses to their pregnancy ending; ‘isolation’, comprising ‘rarity’, ‘lack of awareness’ and support seeking; and ‘alienation’, capturing the unfamiliarity of diagnosis, ‘failure’ and barriers to ‘moving forward’. Conclusions Experiences are shaped by wider narratives of ‘typical’ pregnancy. Patient care requires an individualised and responsive approach, and non-specialist practitioners should feel confident in discussing molar pregnancy and have access to up-to-date guidance.

Subgroup Differences in Urinary Sodium and Calcium Excretion in Healthy Men and Women in Response to a High Salt Diet

Subgroup Differences in Urinary Sodium and Calcium Excretion in Healthy Men and Women in Response to a High Salt Diet

Aquatic High-Intensity Interval Deep Water Running Influence on Cardiometabolic Health and Cognitive Psychological Responses in Women.

To investigate the effects of an 8-wk AHIIT-DWR intervention compared with land-based HIT training (LHIIT) on cardiometabolic health, cognitive, and psychological outcomes in inactive elderly women. Seventy inactive elderly women aged 60 yr or above were randomly assigned into two groups: AHIIT-DWR and LHIIT. The AHIIT-DWR group engaged in DWR sessions comprising 30 min of interval training, consisting of ten 2-min exercise bouts at 80%-90% of their maximal heart rate (HR max ), with 1-min active recovery at 70% HR max between bouts, for two sessions per week, for 8 wk. The LHIIT group performed treadmill running at the same intensity. Both groups showed similar cardiovascular fitness, maximal aerobic capacity (V̇O 2max ), HR max , and RER improvement ( P > 0.05), whereas AHIIT-DWR showed a significant improvement in aerobic capacity minute ventilation (V̇E), metabolic equivalents (METs), and O 2 pulse ( P < 0.05) over the 8-wk intervention. Both AHIIT-DWR and LHIIT significantly decreased triglycerides, total cholesterol, HDL, and LDL postintervention ( P < 0.05). No significant group differences were observed for cognitive function assessed by MMSE and MOCA ( P > 0.05). Both groups showed similar enjoyment levels, self-efficacy scores, and high adherence rates (>90%). Our study suggests that AHIIT-DWR can elicit a similar improvement in cardiorespiratory health, metabolic blood markers, cognitive function assessed by MMSE and MOCA, and psychological responses as LHIIT in inactive elderly women.

Fear, “Discomfort,” Anger, and Shame in the Night-Time Economy: Women's Responses to Unwanted Sexual Intrusions

Fear, “Discomfort,” Anger, and Shame in the Night-Time Economy: Women's Responses to Unwanted Sexual Intrusions

Asking women with diabetes about sexual problems: An exploratory study of NHS professionals' attitudes and practice: A survey of healthcare professionals regarding communication and silences about sexual problems during the routine care of women with diabetes.

To explore UK healthcare professionals' practice and attitudes towards asking women with diabetes about sexual health problems, including symptoms of female sexual dysfunction (FSD). An online questionnaire to address the study aims was developed, piloted by ten healthcare professionals (HCPs) and completed by 111 eligible HCPs, recruited via professional networks and social media. Free text data were analysed and reported thematically. Two questions were analysed to test the hypothesis of differences between men's and women's responses. The majority of respondents did not ask women with diabetes about sexual problems. Multiple barriers to inquiry were reported, including inadequate training, time constraints, competing priorities, the perceived likelihood that questions will cause surprise or distress (especially for certain groups of women), the belief that sexual problems are to be expected as women age, and the belief that FSD is complex or untreatable, with unclear management pathways. Exploratory findings indicated significant differences in men and women's responses (men disagreed more strongly with prioritisation, and fewer reported routine inquiry about sexual problems in their usual practice). HCPs reported not asking women with diabetes about sexual problems during routine care. They described multiple factors reinforcing the silence about sexual health, including inadequate education and perceived social risk for individual HCPs who deviate from the patterns of topics usually discussed in diabetes consultations.

Discussing the midwifery scope of practice within the NANDA-I taxonomy.

To discuss the midwifery scope of practice within the NANDA-I taxonomy. Review of the NANDA-I taxonomy followed by critical analysis of the nursing diagnoses (NDs) within the scope of midwifery practice. Search terms were defined. Two authors independently analyzed all diagnoses, and another author validated the results. Of the 267 NDs in the NANDA-I taxonomy, 39 (14.6%) perceived a relationship with midwifery's scope of practice, and among these, 15 (5.6%) guaranteed greater specificity and accuracy for clinical reasoning. The suitability of NDs for the broad spectrum of the midwifery scope of practice may need to be completed. Women's responses to life events and health conditions are simultaneously complex and specific, and many NDs in the NANDA-I terminology may be far from fully identified and developed to represent these responses. Improvements in NANDA-I diagnosis would contribute to advanced terminology and increased specificity and accuracy of the diagnostic process. This is important in achieving appropriate outcomes and safe and effective interventions for which the nurses and nurse-midwives are accountable. Many NDs would not necessarily be used in any other context since they are specific to midwifery; however, it would help to develop a NANDA-I taxonomy that is more inclusive and comprehensive internationally.

Predicting Recovery Pathways in Jewish Ultra-Orthodox Intimate Partner Violence Survivors: A Structural Equation Modeling Approach.

Cultural and religious norms, as well as trauma-related cognitions and recovery actions, are known to impact the well-being of survivors of intimate partner violence (IPV). Although acknowledged as a key component, there is scant research on the recovery trajectories of women who have experienced IPV, in particular on survivors from collectivistic societies such as the Jewish Ultra-Orthodox (JUO) community in Israel. A mediation model examined the recovery process of 261 Israeli JUO survivors. In particular, it tested whether the normalization of violence and women's endorsement of Jewish religious norms that justify violence would be directly and negatively associated with women's well-being and positively associated with psychopathology. Additionally, it examined whether women's normalization of violence and support of religious norms would positively predict women's negative trauma-related cognitions. In turn, these cognitions were expected to negatively predict women's engagement in recovery actions, help-seeking behaviors, and faith-based responses but positively predict disengagement responses. The model further posited that women's engagement in steps toward recovery, help-seeking behaviors, and faith-based responses would positively predict women's well-being and negatively predict psychopathology. In contrast, women's disengagement responses would negatively predict women's well-being and positively predict their psychopathology. Bootstrap results indicated that supporting religious norms positively predicted women's trauma-related cognitions, which then negatively predicted women's recovery actions, help-seeking behaviors, and faith-based responses but positively predicted women's disengagement responses. Women's recovery actions and faith-based responses positively predicted women's well-being, while disengagement responses positively predicted women's psychopathology. Contrary to expectations, help-seeking behaviors positively predicted psychopathology.

Coping With Intimate Partner Violence: The Effect Of Women’s Resources On Their Response To Violence In Turkey

Abstract: The aim of this study is to investigate the interaction between the personal and social resources of women who have experienced intimate partner violence (IPV) and their responses to two specific types of violence, namely; physical and sexual violence. The study utilizes survey data from the "2014 Domestic Violence against Women in Turkey Survey", a follow-up to the 2008 nationwide survey on violence against women, which includes a wide range of socio-demographic background questions as well as questions on IPV and various types of violence against women and girls. This quantitative research represents one of the rare studies focusing on women's individual and institutional responses to IPV and it is also based on findings from the most recent field study on Domestic Violence against Women in Turkey. The sample design of the research is a multi-staged stratified cluster sampling and 11,247 households completed the survey from 12 statistical regions, urban and rural areas of Turkey. During the field visits, 13,310 women were identified as eligible for interviews, and 8,960 women were approached for face-to-face interviews. The response rate for the women interviews was recorded at 83.3 percent. Multinomial logit models were employed to elucidate the relationship between the responses of women who had been subjected to violence and their individual resources. The findings of the study reveal that individual resources such as age, higher education, urban residence, and being in regular employment with social security significantly increase the likelihood that women will engage in at least one institutional or non-institutional response to IPV.