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Challenges and coping strategies faced by female scientists-A multicentric cross sectional study.

ABSTRACT: Women can play a pivotal role in the progress and sustainability of the world if they are empowered through education and employment opportunities in Science, technology, innovation and through changing the social stereotypes that restrain them in certain workplaces. In the literature, few recently published studies exist that document the challenges faced by female scientists in their workplaces. The purpose of this study was to understand the challenges and coping strategies faced by female scientists around the world today, in order to contribute to their improved performance. A multi-centre electronic cross-sectional survey across 55 countries was conducted to profile female scientists and to identify the challenges that they experience throughout their career as well as the coping mechanisms that they use to overcome the barriers. A total of 263 female scientists from different countries across the world participated in our study and most participants were from the South East Asian Region. Most female scientists in our study belong to the middle and junior level career category and earning around 1250 USD per month. Most of the scientists reported availability of maternity leave at their workplace but less than a third reported presence of a creche at work. Workplace sexual harassment was reported by 24% of the study population. Work related stress (71.5%) and work life imbalance (46%) are also major challenges faced by female scientists. Self-confidence, dedication and hard work are the most commonly adopted coping strategy. Flexible work timings, woman-friendly management policies, fair appraisal and mentorship appear to reduce the work-related stress and improve work-life balance among female scientists. In conclusion, female scientists face numerous challenges, which can greatly affect both their individual and career growth. Intrinsic (personal) and extrinsic (institutional) factors are important for improving female scientists' wellbeing and productivity.

SUBMITTER: Fathima FN

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7505433 | biostudies-literature | 2020

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Challenges and coping strategies faced by female scientists-A multicentric cross sectional study.

Fathima Farah Naaz FN Awor Phyllis P Yen Yi-Chun YC Gnanaselvam Nancy Angeline NA Zakham Fathiah F

PloS one 20200921 9

Women can play a pivotal role in the progress and sustainability of the world if they are empowered through education and employment opportunities in Science, technology, innovation and through changing the social stereotypes that restrain them in certain workplaces. In the literature, few recently published studies exist that document the challenges faced by female scientists in their workplaces. The purpose of this study was to understand the challenges and coping strategies faced by female sc ...[more]

PMID: 32956356

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Project description:BackgroundBurnout in health system pharmacists has been studied in several countries. To date, no data exists on burnout among healthsystem pharmacists in Lebanon. This study aimed to determine the prevalance of burnout, identify factors and describe coping strategies related to burnout among healthsystem pharmacists in Lebanon.MethodsA cross-sectional study utilizing the Maslach Burnout Inventory- Human Services Survey for Medical Personnel (MBI-HSS (MP))was conducted in Lebanon. A convenience sample of hospital pharmacists in Mount Lebanon and Beirut area filled a paper-based survey in person or via a phone interview. Burnout was defined as having an emotional exhaustion score ≥ 27 and/or depersonalization score ≥ 10. To identify factors associated with burnout, the survey also contained questions on socio-demographic characteristics, professional status, hospital characteristics, professional stressors and professional satisfaction. Participants were also asked about their coping strategies. To adjust for potential confounding, a multivariable logistic regression was used to estimate the adjusted odds ratios of factors and coping strategies associated with burnout. The authors also evaluated burnout according to the broader definition, emotional exhaustion score ≥ 27 or depersonalization score ≥ 10 or low personal accomplishment ≤ 33.ResultsOf the 153 health system pharmacists who were contacted, 115 filled the survey (response rate of 75.1%). The overall burnout prevalence reported was n = 50 (43.5%) and was largely driven by high emotional exhaustion n = 41(36.9%). Following multivariate logistic regression, seven factors were associated with increased burnout: older age, B.S. in Pharmacy degree, involvement in student training, no involvement in procurement, divided attention at work, overall dissatisfaction with career, dissatisfaction to neutrality with balance between professional and personal life. Low personal accomplishment was noted in n = 55 (49.5%). The main coping strategies identified were holidays, leisure, hobbies, sports activities, and relaxation. There was no association between the coping strategies used and burnout. The prevalence of burnout according to the broader definition was n = 77 (67%). The factors associated with the broader definition of burnout were older age, overall dissatisfaction with career and dissatisfaction with work life balance.ConclusionApproximately n = 50(43.5%)of health system pharmacists in Lebanon may be at risk for burnout. If using broader definitions incorporating all three subscales of the (MBI-HSS (MP)), the prevalence of burnout was n = 77(67%). This study highlights the need to advocate for pratice reforms to improve the low personal acoomplishment and recommends strategies to mitigate burnout. Further research to assess the current prevalence of burnout and evaluate effective interventions in alleviating burnout amongst health system pharmacists is needed.

Project description:BackgroundWork-related stress and burnout syndromes are unfortunately common comorbidities found in health professionals. However, burnout syndrome has only been partly and episodically assessed for community pharmacists whereas these professionals are exposed to patients' demands and difficulties every day. Prevalence of burnout, associated comorbidities and coping strategies were assessed in pharmacy teams (pharmacists and pharmacy technicians) in French community pharmacies.MethodsThis online survey was performed by emails sent to all French community pharmacies over 3 months. The survey assessed the prevalence of burnout (Maslach Burnout Inventory-MBI-questionnaire), anxiety, depression and strategies for coping with work-related stress.ResultsOf the 1,339 questionnaires received, 1,322 were completed and useable for the analysis. Burnout syndrome was detected in 56.2% of respondents and 10.5% of them presented severe burnout syndrome. Severe burnout syndrome was significantly associated with men, large urban areas and the number of hours worked. Depression and anxiety were found in 15.7% and 42.4% of respondents, respectively. These co-morbidities were significantly associated with severe burnout syndrome. Higher MBI scores were significantly associated with medical consultations and medicinal drug use. Conversely, respondents suffering from burnout syndrome declared they resorted less to non-medical strategies to manage their work-related stress (leisure, psychotherapy, holidays and time off).ConclusionThis study demonstrated that community pharmacists and pharmacy technicians presented high prevalence of burnout syndrome, such as many healthcare professionals. Unfortunately, burnout syndrome was associated with several comorbidities (anxiety, depression and alcohol abuse) and the consumption of health resources. The psychological suffering of these healthcare professionals underlines the necessity to deploy a strategy to detect and manage burnout in community pharmacy.

Project description:BackgroundMost women with postpartum depression (PPD) in low- and middle-income countries remain undiagnosed and untreated, despite evidence for adverse effects on the woman and her child. The aim of this study was to identify the coping strategies used by women with PPD symptoms in rural Ethiopia to inform the development of socio-culturally appropriate interventions.MethodsA population-based, cross-sectional study was conducted in a predominantly rural district in southern Ethiopia. All women with live infants between one and 12 months post-partum (n = 3147) were screened for depression symptoms using the validated Patient Health Questionnaire, 9 item version (PHQ-9). Those scoring five or more, 'high PPD symptoms', (n = 385) were included in this study. The Brief Coping with Problems Experienced (COPE-28) scale was used to assess coping strategies. Construct validity of the brief COPE was evaluated using confirmatory factor analysis.ResultsConfirmatory factor analysis of the brief COPE scale supported the previously hypothesized three dimensions of coping (problem-focused, emotion-focused, and dysfunctional). Emotion-focused coping was the most commonly employed coping strategy by women with PPD symptoms. Urban residence was associated positively with all three dimensions of coping. Women who had attended formal education and who attributed their symptoms to a physical cause were more likely to use both problem-focused and emotion-focused coping strategies. Women with better subjective wealth and those who perceived that their husband drank too much alcohol were more likely to use emotion-focused coping. Dysfunctional coping strategies were reported by women who had a poor relationship with their husbands.ConclusionsAs in high-income countries, women with PPD symptoms were most likely to use emotion-focused and dysfunctional coping strategies. Poverty and the low level of awareness of depression as an illness may additionally impede problem-solving attempts to cope. Prospective studies are needed to understand the prognostic significance of coping styles in this setting and to inform psychosocial intervention development.

Project description:BackgroundThe teaching profession is highly stressed job. A high level of stress is associated with poor health outcomes, such as burnout and psychological distress. Therefore, teachers' use of coping styles becomes imperative. However, relatively little is known about primary school teachers' psychological distress, burnout, coping strategies, and associated factors in Nigeria. The study investigated psychological distress, burnout, coping strategies among primary schools, and associated factors in Nigeria.MethodsA total of 264 teachers aged 20-59 years participated in the study between May 2019 to October 2019. Questionnaires on psychological distress, burnout, coping strategies, and demographic profile form were used for data collection. Factors associated with psychological distress, burnout, and coping strategies were identified using t-test, univariate ANOVA, Pearson's correlation, Chi-square test, and hierarchical linear regression analysis.ResultsOf 264 participants enrolled for the study, 253 responded, giving a response rate of 95.8%. The prevalence of psychological distress and burnout was 69.9% (176/253) and 36.0% (91/253), respectively. Sex (β = 0.158), a high level of emotional exhaustion (β = 0.193) and reduced personal accomplishment (β = 0.358), adoption of problem-focused strategies (β = 0.904), and dysfunctional strategies (β = 0.340) were positively associated with psychological distress. Age (β = - 0.338), academic qualification (β = - 0.210), and income level (β = - 0.146) were inversely associated with psychological distress, which together explained 51.5% of the total variance. Psychological distress (β = 0.275 vs. β = 0.404) was significantly associated with emotional exhaustion (EE) and reduced personal accomplishment (PA) and explained 11.4 and 24.2% of the variance in EE and reduced PA, respectively.ConclusionsThe high prevalence of psychological distress and burnout among teachers should receive urgent attention. Teachers' training curricula should include developing interpersonal skills, stress management abilities, and resilience to equip them for the job. Also, teacher training curricula should integrate mental health promotion interventions.

Project description:Background: COVID-19 has severely affected university students everywhere in the world. Due to fear of infection, government and local authorities in China immediately closed academic institutions and tried to find survival techniques to cope with market turbulence. COVID-19 was present in China at the end of 2019. However, little attention has been paid by researchers to coping strategies during the COVID-19 pandemic, and few measures were taken to assess the coping strategies of university students, specifically following the closure of their institutions. To address this gap, this study attempted to discover the coping strategies of Chinese students during the COVID-19 pandemic in China. Methods: We conducted an online survey using a semi-structured questionnaire with a simple random sampling technique and received 559 responses. The survey questions captured information about students' lives during the COVID-19 outbreak, actions to control anxiety, and what students care about during the pandemic. The associations between coping strategies used and levels of anxiety were tested using analysis of variance (ANOVA) procedures. SPSS Statistics v27 was used for statistical analysis in this study. Results: The university students reported that coping strategies and survival techniques were required due to high levels of anxiety and psychological pressure during the COVID-19 pandemic. Most of the respondents reported the prompt closure of their academic institutions due to COVID-19. Psychological concerns, such as lack of sleep, emotional support, mental support and social appeal, were also reported. Conclusions: This is one of the very first studies on coping strategies for anxiety in China. The study reveals that university students employ a number of coping strategies in relation to COVID-19, but also suggests a need to strengthen such strategies in this population. However, the study was limited to a small number of provinces in China, which may affect the generalizability of the research.

Project description:BACKGROUND:Challenging behavior represents a core symptom in neuropathological mucopolysaccharidoses (MPS) and puts major strain on affected families. Although multimodal approaches including behavioral strategies to treatment could be valuable, there is lack of research to the effectiveness of specific measures. This explorative, cross-sectional study is aimed at the collection of parental experiences regarding effective day-to-day measures against challenging behavior in MPS and focuses on 4 major research questions: First: What is challenging behavior in MPS? Second: Which strategies are helpful in the day-to-day coping with challenging behavior? Third: How strong is parental acceptance of illness and the disorder's impact on family relationships? Fourth: What are beneficial personal and interfamilial strategies for generally coping with the disorder? METHODS:A semi structured questionnaire was designed de novo in cooperation with affected families. 37/268 questionnaires were returned (rate: 13.8%), of which 34 (MPS I: n?=?8, MPS II: n?=?8; MPS III: n?=?18) could be included in data analysis in accordance with inclusion criteria. Assessment of challenging symptoms was based on perceived frequency, parent- and child stress. Exploration of possible coping strategies for challenging behavior and general illness-related strain included the evaluation of perceived effectiveness. Questionnaires were completed by patient's relatives and analyzed for strategies to cope with challenging behavior and the disorder's impact. STROBE criteria were respected. RESULTS:MPS I was reported to show lower frequency and better perceived manageability of challenging behavior than MPS II and -III. Sleep disturbance, hyperactivity, agitation, aggression and orality seemed relevant symptoms regarding frequency and/or parent stress. Reported measures were manifold, worthwhile approaches against challenging behavior appeared to be aiming at distraction, relief and environmental changes. Medication and non-medication approaches were rated similarly effective. Social exchange, private space and networking with other affected families seemed highly important for personal and interfamilial well-being. CONCLUSIONS:Multimodal mentoring for affected families could be based on the following equivalent pillars: (1) Medication therapy for challenging behavior including evaluation of cost and benefit (2) Guided implementation and re-evaluation of specific behavioral measures against challenging behavior. (3) Psychosocial support of MPS-families, including options for strengthening parental well-being and family functioning. Trial registration This study was registered at clinicaltrials.gov prior to study start (NCT-Number: NCT03161171, Date: 2017/05/19).

Dataset Information

Challenges and coping strategies faced by female scientists-A multicentric cross sectional study.

Publications

Challenges and coping strategies faced by female scientists-A multicentric cross sectional study.

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