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The experience of women combining fertility treatment and paid employment: women's narratives

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Whole thesis(856.85 KB)

Date

2011

Authors

Supervisor

Goedeke, Sonja
Payne, Deborah

Item type

Thesis

Degree name

Master of Health Science

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

Auckland University of Technology

Abstract

The use of fertility treatments, including in-vitro fertilisation (IVF) has increased significantly in the past three decades (Wang, Chambers, Dieng, & Sullivan, 2009) as has the proportion of women in the workforce (Statistics New Zealand, 2006). Psychological implications have been associated with fertility treatments, including psychological distress, depression, and identity issues (Ulrich & Weatherall, 2000). Research has alluded to the challenge for women combining fertility treatment and paid employment. However, no targeted research has focused specifically on this. Using a narrative approach informed by a social constructionist and third-wave feminist lens, this study sought to explore how combining fertility treatment and paid employment was experienced by women. Employing a narrative perspective defined as holistic-content (Lieblich, Tuval-Mashiach, & Zilber, 1998), individual narratives were analysed for unique themes and motivations. Final analysis was undertaken with a thematic narrative analytical approach (Riessman, 2008). Themes such as private versus public narratives, failing as a woman and related identity challenges were observed. It is hoped that the findings discussed could assist mental health practitioners in supporting this cohort and may offer insights into appropriate work-place policy development.

Description

Keywords

Narrative, IVF, Psychology, Identity

Source

DOI

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Permanent link

https://hdl.handle.net/10292/4476

Collections

Masters Dissertations