Date of Conferral
2023
Degree
Ph.D.
School
Psychology
Advisor
Patti L. Barrows
Abstract
Shift work has become a normalized part of the occupational schedule across all industries, where previous research has illustrated the detrimental effect on female reproductive health. The conceptual lens that this research used was based on shift work adaptation. Worker adaptability to shift work, through management of occupational and non-occupational demands, may be fundamental in reducing negative health outcomes associated with shift work. This descriptive qualitative study detailed the experiences of female shift workers in the United States to better understand the conditions, barriers, and perceptions of their reproductive health that lead to adaptive or maladaptive behavior amid a non-traditional work schedule. Semi-structured interviews were used to assemble a rich compilation of descriptions of female shift worker experiences and perceptions. Thematic analysis was used to draw insight and identify commonalities as they exist among participant descriptions, where final reporting defined and interpreted themes present in the data. Six themes emerged from the data: (a) time, (b) anatomical and physiological characteristics, (c) workplace accommodations, (d) reproductive health education, (e) cognizance of sexual health, and (f) sexual consequences. Participants’ insights provided a voice to the contemporary female shift worker in the United States. This study brings awareness for positive social change to the conditions and barriers that participants experienced in maintaining their reproductive and sexual health.
Recommended Citation
Parsons, Jessica, "The Reproductive Health Experienced by Female Shift Workers in the United States" (2023). Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies. 14756.
https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/14756
