Date of Award

8-2023

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy in Urban Education

Department

Doctoral Studies

First Advisor

Phillips, Julia C.

Second Advisor

Schultheiss, Donna

Third Advisor

Hartung, Paul

Abstract

The challenges and rewards experienced by participating in both work and life roles for women with children is well documented in the work-life literature. The negative effect of infertility on women is also well documented in the literature. However, there is insufficient research on the work-family interface for women employed in full-time paid positions who experience primary infertility. Given this deficiency, this study investigated how the experience of infertility influences work-life integration for full-time employed women. This research explored the ways work-life integration is distinct and unique for this population, knowing that infertility is a distressing and stigmatized experience. A social constructionist and phenomenological approach adapting consensual qualitative research methods was used to analyze semi-structured interviews. Emphasis was placed on a work-life paradigm, considering both the ways work and life roles conflict (work-family conflict) and enrich one another (work-family enrichment). Infertility was explored with respect to its relational, sociocultural, and psychological effects on women. Participants included 15 cisgender women who experienced primary infertility, were employed in a full-time paid position, and had no children living with them in their home. Data were organized into five domains: (1) The Relationship Between Infertility and Work-Life Integration; (2) Making Meaning of Infertility Through Relational Communication and Education; (3) Uncertainty, Unpredictability, and the Unknown of Infertility; (4) Physical, Emotional, Relational, Sociocultural, and Financial Experiences and Implications of Infertility; and (5) Understanding and Managing One’s Experience of Infertility. Results suggested that the gendered challenges faced by women regarding infertility, work-life integration, sociocultural expectations, and equity issues at work are cumulative and unique for this population. Implications for theory, research, and psychological practice regarding work-life integration within this context are discussed.

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