Experiences and psychological distress of fertility treatment and employment

Article

Payne, N., Seenan, S. and van den Akker, O. 2019. Experiences and psychological distress of fertility treatment and employment. Journal of Psychosomatic Obstetrics and Gynecology. 40 (2), pp. 156-165. https://doi.org/10.1080/0167482X.2018.1460351
TypeArticle
TitleExperiences and psychological distress of fertility treatment and employment
AuthorsPayne, N., Seenan, S. and van den Akker, O.
Abstract

Purpose: This study examined experiences and psychological distress about fertility treatment in people combining work and treatment.
Methods: 563 participants in the UK completed an online survey asking about difficulties in combining work and treatment; workplace disclosure, support, absence and policy; and psychological distress about treatment.
Results: Absence from work and perceptions that treatment has an impact on work and career prospects were reported by the majority of participants and this was related to the psychological distress of treatment. Around three quarters of participants disclosed to their employer and colleagues. The key reason for disclosure was needing to ask for absence from work and the main reason for non-disclosure was privacy. Workplace policy relating to managing fertility treatment and support from colleagues and their employer was related to reduced psychological distress but workplace policy was reported by less than one quarter of participants.
Conclusions: Difficulties experienced in combining work and treatment suggest that support is needed. Specific workplace policy, guidance for supervisors and flexibility in fertility clinic times should help support employees during treatment and reduce psychological distress, thereby potentially influencing physical health and treatment outcomes.

KeywordsAssisted reproduction; psychological distress; disclosure; support; workplace policy
Research GroupApplied Health Psychology group
PublisherTaylor and Francis
JournalJournal of Psychosomatic Obstetrics and Gynecology
ISSN0167-482X
Electronic1743-8942
Publication dates
Online16 Apr 2018
Print03 Apr 2019
Publication process dates
Deposited04 Apr 2018
Accepted25 Mar 2018
Output statusPublished
Accepted author manuscript
Copyright Statement

This is an Accepted Manuscript of an article published by Taylor & Francis in Journal of Psychosomatic Obstetrics & Gynecology on 16/04/2018, available online: http://www.tandfonline.com/10.1080/0167482X.2018.1460351

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.1080/0167482X.2018.1460351
Web of Science identifierWOS:000471080100011
LanguageEnglish
Permalink -

https://repository.mdx.ac.uk/item/87988

Log in to edit

Download files

Accepted author manuscript
FNUK_and_work_version_4.pdf
FNUK_and_work_version_4.docx

  • 61
    total views
  • 72
    total downloads
  • 1
    views this month
  • 2
    downloads this month

Export as

Related outputs

Exploring health-related quality of life, exercise and alcohol use in adolescents with sickle cell disease and healthy siblings
Constantinou, C., Payne, N., van den Akker, O. and Inusa, B. 2024. Exploring health-related quality of life, exercise and alcohol use in adolescents with sickle cell disease and healthy siblings. Psychology & Health. https://doi.org/10.1080/08870446.2024.2371018
Health-related quality of life of children and adolescents with sickle cell disease
Constantinou, C. and Payne, N. 2024. Health-related quality of life of children and adolescents with sickle cell disease. in: Inusa, B., Nwankwo, K., Azinge-Egbiri, N. and Bolarinwa, B. (ed.) Sickle Cell Disease in Sub-Saharan Africa: Public Health Perspectives London, UK Routledge. pp. 31-43
Women's lives and temporalities of fertility treatment
Payne, N., Lewis, S. and Nilsen, A. 2024. Women's lives and temporalities of fertility treatment. Current Sociology. https://doi.org/10.1177/00113921241238433
Applying motivational techniques for user adherence to adopt a healthy lifestyle in a gamified application
Fatima, S., Augusto, J., Moseley, R., Urbonas, P., Elliott, A. and Payne, N. 2023. Applying motivational techniques for user adherence to adopt a healthy lifestyle in a gamified application. Entertainment Computing. 46. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.entcom.2023.100571
Mental health and coping with fertility treatment cessation during the COVID-19 pandemic in the UK
Payne, N. and van den Akker, O. 2022. Mental health and coping with fertility treatment cessation during the COVID-19 pandemic in the UK. Journal of Psychosomatic Obstetrics and Gynecology. https://doi.org/10.1080/0167482X.2022.2097475
Reiki practitioners' perceptions of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the experience, practice and future of Reiki
Abdurahman, F. and Payne, N. 2022. Reiki practitioners' perceptions of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the experience, practice and future of Reiki. Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice. 46. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ctcp.2021.101530
A qualitative exploration of health-related quality of life and health behaviours in children with sickle cell disease and healthy siblings
Constantinou, C., Payne, N., van den Akker, O. and Inusa, B. 2021. A qualitative exploration of health-related quality of life and health behaviours in children with sickle cell disease and healthy siblings. Psychology & Health. https://doi.org/10.1080/08870446.2021.1955119
Experiences of involuntary childlessness and treatment in the UK: what has changed in 20 years?
Payne, N., Seenan, S. and van den Akker, O. 2021. Experiences of involuntary childlessness and treatment in the UK: what has changed in 20 years? Human Fertility. 24 (5), pp. 333-340. https://doi.org/10.1080/14647273.2019.1687946
Job demands, resources and work-related well-being in UK firefighters
Payne, N. and Kinman, G. 2019. Job demands, resources and work-related well-being in UK firefighters. Occupational Medicine. 69 (8-9), pp. 604-609. https://doi.org/10.1093/occmed/kqz167
Resilience, stress and burnout in student midwives
Eaves, J. and Payne, N. 2019. Resilience, stress and burnout in student midwives. Nurse Education Today. 79, pp. 188-193. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nedt.2019.05.012
Catch 22? Disclosing assisted conception treatment at work
van den Akker, O., Payne, N. and Lewis, S. 2017. Catch 22? Disclosing assisted conception treatment at work. International Journal of Workplace Health Management. 10 (5), pp. 364-375. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJWHM-03-2017-0022
New methods for stress assessment and monitoring at the workplace
Carneiro, D., Novais, P., Augusto, J. and Payne, N. 2019. New methods for stress assessment and monitoring at the workplace. IEEE Transactions on Affective Computing. 10 (2), pp. 237-254. https://doi.org/10.1109/TAFFC.2017.2699633
Work–life balance and austerity: Implications of new ways of working in British public sector organisations
Lyonette, C., Anderson, D., Lewis, S., Payne, N. and Wood, S. 2016. Work–life balance and austerity: Implications of new ways of working in British public sector organisations. in: Lewis, S., Anderson, D., Lyonette, C., Payne, N. and Wood, S. (ed.) Work-Life Balance in Times of Recession, Austerity and Beyond New York Routledge. pp. 63-77
A sanctuary of tranquillity in a ruptured world: evaluating long-term counselling at a women’s community health centre
Ciclitira, K., Starr, F., Payne, N., Clarke, L. and Marzano, L. 2017. A sanctuary of tranquillity in a ruptured world: evaluating long-term counselling at a women’s community health centre. Feminism & Psychology. 27 (4), pp. 530-552. https://doi.org/10.1177/0959353516685344
Public sector austerity cuts in the UK and the changing discourse of work-life balance
Lewis, S., Anderson, D., Lyonette, C., Payne, N. and Wood, S. 2017. Public sector austerity cuts in the UK and the changing discourse of work-life balance. Work, Employment and Society. 31 (4), pp. 586-704. https://doi.org/10.1177/0950017016638994
Healthy eating beliefs and intentions of mothers and their adult children: an intergenerational transmission perspective
Sumodhee, D. and Payne, N. 2016. Healthy eating beliefs and intentions of mothers and their adult children: an intergenerational transmission perspective. Journal of Health Psychology. 21 (12), pp. 2775-2787. https://doi.org/10.1177/1359105315586214
Sense of entitlement to workplace support for infertility treatment
Payne, N., Lewis, S., Constantinou, C. and van den Akker, O. 2014. Sense of entitlement to workplace support for infertility treatment. Work and Family Researchers Network Conference (WFRN): Changing Work and Family Relationships in a Global Economy. New York, USA 19 - 21 Jun 2014
Work-life balance and medically assisted reproduction (MAR): MAR uses experiences of workplace support
Payne, N., van den Akker, O., Constantinou, C. and Lewis, S. 2014. Work-life balance and medically assisted reproduction (MAR): MAR uses experiences of workplace support. 11th Conference of the European Academy of Occupational Health Psychology. London, United Kingdom 14 - 16 Apr 2014
Experiences of combining work and infertility treatment
Payne, N., van den Akker, O., Lewis, S. and Constantinou, C. 2015. Experiences of combining work and infertility treatment. BICA Journal/Journal of Fertility Counselling. 22 (1), pp. 13-16.
Evaluation of long-term counselling at a community health service for women who are on a low income
Payne, N., Ciclitira, K., Starr, F., Marzano, L. and Brunswick, N. 2015. Evaluation of long-term counselling at a community health service for women who are on a low income. Counselling and Psychotherapy Research. 15 (2), pp. 79-87. https://doi.org/10.1080/14733145.2013.877513
Assessing the quality of life of children with sickle cell anaemia using self-, parent-proxy and healthcare professional-proxy reports
Constantinou, C., Payne, N. and Inusa, B. 2015. Assessing the quality of life of children with sickle cell anaemia using self-, parent-proxy and healthcare professional-proxy reports. British Journal of Health Psychology. 20 (2), pp. 290-304. https://doi.org/10.1111/bjhp.12099
New ways of working and the implications for work-life balance
Lyonette, C., Anderson, D., Lewis, S., Payne, N. and Wood, S. 2013. New ways of working and the implications for work-life balance. Work, Employment and Society Conference: States of Work: Visions and Interpretations of Work, Employment, Society and the State. Warwick, UK 03 - 05 Sep 2013
Work-life balance, recovery strategies, and well-being in fire service personnel
Payne, N. and Kinman, G. 2014. Work-life balance, recovery strategies, and well-being in fire service personnel. The BPS Division of Occupational Psychology Annual Conference: Applying the Science of Psychology to Work. Brighton, UK 08 - 10 Jan 2014 pp. 228-232
Work-life balance policies, practices and discourse and public sector cuts
Anderson, D., Lewis, S., Lyonette, C., Payne, N. and Wood, S. 2013. Work-life balance policies, practices and discourse and public sector cuts. The BPS Division of Occupational Psychology Conference 2013: Connecting and contributing to make a difference. Chester, UK 09 - 11 Jan 2013 pp. 43-46
A qualitative investigation of employees’ perceptions of the impact of work on health behaviours
Payne, N., Jones, F. and Harris, P. 2011. A qualitative investigation of employees’ perceptions of the impact of work on health behaviours. BPS Division of Occupational Psychology Conference 2011: Creating value through occupational psychology. Stratford-upon-Avon, UK 12 - 14 Jan 2011 pp. 48-51
A qualitative investigation of employees' perceptions of the impact of work on health behaviours
Payne, N., Jones, F. and Harris, P. 2010. A qualitative investigation of employees' perceptions of the impact of work on health behaviours. Iavicoli, S., Jain, A., Petyx, M. and Tang, J. (ed.) 9th Conference of the European Academy of Occupational Health Psychology. Rome, Italy 29 - 31 Mar 2010 Nottingham, UK EAOHP. pp. 256-256
Employees’ perceptions of the impact of work on health behaviours
Payne, N., Jones, F. and Harris, P. 2013. Employees’ perceptions of the impact of work on health behaviours. Journal of Health Psychology. 18 (7), pp. 887-899. https://doi.org/10.1177/1359105312446772
Work, stress and health behaviors
Payne, N., Kinman, G. and Jones, F. 2012. Work, stress and health behaviors. in: Houdmont, J., Leka, S. and Sinclair, R. (ed.) Contemporary Occupational Health Psychology: Global Perspectives on Research and Practice, Volume 2. Chichester WileyBlackwell. pp. 239-255
Learning, teaching and assessment in health psychology.
Payne, N. 2006. Learning, teaching and assessment in health psychology. Health Psychology Update. 15 (2), pp. 4-5.
Family based behavioural management of childhood obesity: Service evaluation of a group programme run in a community setting in the UK.
Murdoch, M., Payne, N., Samani-Radia, D., Rosen-Webb, J., Walker, L., Howe, M. and Lewis, P. 2011. Family based behavioural management of childhood obesity: Service evaluation of a group programme run in a community setting in the UK. European Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 65 (6), pp. 764-767. https://doi.org/10.1038/ejcn.2011.23
Learning, teaching and assessment of Health Psychology MSc courses: results from a survey.
Payne, N. 2008. Learning, teaching and assessment of Health Psychology MSc courses: results from a survey. Health Psychology Update. 17 (2), pp. 34-40.
Evaluation of an intervention to help students avoid unintentional plagiarism by improving their authorial identity
Elander, J., Pittam, G., Lusher, J., Fox, P. and Payne, N. 2010. Evaluation of an intervention to help students avoid unintentional plagiarism by improving their authorial identity. Assessment & Evaluation in Higher Education. 35 (2), pp. 157-171. https://doi.org/10.1080/02602930802687745
A daily diary investigation of the impact of work stress on exercise intention realisation: Can planning overcome the disruptive influence of work?
Payne, N., Jones, F. and Harris, P. 2010. A daily diary investigation of the impact of work stress on exercise intention realisation: Can planning overcome the disruptive influence of work? Psychology & Health. 25 (1), pp. 111-129. https://doi.org/10.1080/08870440903337622
The impact of job strain on the predictive validity of the theory of planned behaviour: an investigation of exercise and healthy eating
Payne, N., Jones, F. and Harris, P. 2005. The impact of job strain on the predictive validity of the theory of planned behaviour: an investigation of exercise and healthy eating. British Journal of Health Psychology. 10 (1), pp. 115-131. https://doi.org/10.1348/135910704X14636
Occupational stressors and coping as determinants of burnout in female hospice nurses
Payne, N. 2001. Occupational stressors and coping as determinants of burnout in female hospice nurses. Journal of Advanced Nursing. 33 (3), pp. 396-405. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-2648.2001.01677.x
Student beliefs and attitudes about authorial identity in academic writing
Pittam, G., Elander, J., Lusher, J., Fox, P. and Payne, N. 2009. Student beliefs and attitudes about authorial identity in academic writing. Studies in Higher Education. 34 (2), pp. 153-170. https://doi.org/10.1080/03075070802528270
Work stress and health behaviour: daily diary methodology and multilevel modelling
Payne, N. and Jones, F. 2007. Work stress and health behaviour: daily diary methodology and multilevel modelling. Health Psychology Update. 16 (3), pp. 13-20. https://doi.org/10.53841/bpshpu.2007.16.3.13
Work stress and health behaviours: a work—life balance issue
Jones, F., Kinman, G. and Payne, N. 2006. Work stress and health behaviours: a work—life balance issue. in: Jones, F., Burke, R. and Westman, M. (ed.) Work-life balance: a psychological perspective Psychology Press. pp. 185-216
The role of perceived need within the theory of planned behaviour: a comparison of exercise and healthy eating
Payne, N., Jones, F. and Harris, P. 2004. The role of perceived need within the theory of planned behaviour: a comparison of exercise and healthy eating. British Journal of Health Psychology. 9 (4), pp. 489-504. https://doi.org/10.1348/1359107042304524
The impact of working life on health behavior: the effect of job strain on the cognitive predictors of exercise
Payne, N., Jones, F. and Harris, P. 2002. The impact of working life on health behavior: the effect of job strain on the cognitive predictors of exercise. Journal of Occupational Health Psychology. 7 (4), pp. 342-353. https://doi.org/10.1037/1076-8998.7.4.342