Institute for Occupational and Maritime Medicine (ZfAM), University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), Hamburg, Germany.
Work. 2022;73(3):895-906. doi: 10.3233/WOR-205212.
The current state of research indicates pregnancy-related discrimination as a potential stressor during pregnancy for women at work, which may result in perceptions of occupational stress.
The aim of this study was to examine women's perceptions of pregnancy-related stressors at work, problem- and emotion-focused coping strategies as well as attributed consequences for mental, physical and social dimensions.
The survey was completed online with a cross-sectional study design. Inclusion criteria for the study participation were being currently pregnant and engaged in paid work (regardless of full-time or part-time work). Women were recruited via social media and with the support of pro familia.
Results indicate that 79 (53.4%, n = 148) participating women experienced pregnancy-related stressors at work. The most relevant kinds of stressors were intrapersonal stressors and interpersonal stressors related to employers or colleagues. The most prevalent coping strategy was to seek social support or advice from gynaecologists. Attributed physical consequences were exhaustion, fatigue and sleeping disorders. Mental health consequences were named in terms of feeling emotionally upset and having fears related to the baby's health.
Family-friendly support policies need to be further developed and topics like pregnancy-related stressors need to be addressed in an occupational context. Especially the perspective and knowledge of employers on the topic needs to be strengthened, e.g., to ensure an ongoing communication between employers, HR and employees during pregnancy. Further research is needed which provides representative data, analyses employer's experiences and their attitudes in managing pregnancies as well as consequences for women when returning to work.
目前的研究表明，与妊娠相关的歧视是女性在职场妊娠期间的一个潜在压力源，这可能导致职业压力的感知。
本研究旨在探讨女性在职场妊娠相关压力源、问题和情绪焦点应对策略以及对心理、身体和社会维度的归因后果的感知。
该调查采用横断面研究设计，在线完成。研究参与的纳入标准是当前怀孕并从事有偿工作（无论全职还是兼职工作）。通过社交媒体和 pro familia 的支持来招募女性。
结果表明，79 名（53.4%，n=148）参与研究的女性在职场经历了与妊娠相关的压力源。最相关的压力源是个体内部压力源和与雇主或同事有关的人际压力源。最常见的应对策略是向妇科医生寻求社会支持或建议。归因于身体的后果是疲惫、疲劳和睡眠障碍。心理健康方面的后果表现为情绪不安和对婴儿健康的担忧。
需要进一步制定家庭友好型支持政策，并在职业环境中解决与妊娠相关的压力源等问题。特别是需要加强雇主对这一主题的观点和知识，例如，确保在怀孕期间雇主、人力资源和员工之间保持持续的沟通。需要进一步的研究，提供代表性数据，分析雇主在管理妊娠方面的经验和态度，以及女性重返工作岗位时的后果。
