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
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