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“I Get That Spirit in Me”—Mentally Empowering Workplace Health Promotion for Female Workers in Low-Paid Jobs during Menopause and Midlife

Author

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  • Marjolein Verburgh

    (Department of Public and Occupational Health, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Amsterdam UMC University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, P.O. Box 22660, 1100 DE Amsterdam, The Netherlands)

  • Petra Verdonk

    (Department Ethics, Law and Humanities, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Amsterdam UMC VU University, Boelelaan 1089a, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands)

  • Yolande Appelman

    (Department of Cardiology, Amsterdam UMC VU University, Boelelaan 1117, P.O. Box 7057, 1007 MB Amsterdam, The Netherlands)

  • Monique Brood-van Zanten

    (Department of Gynecology, Amsterdam UMC University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, P.O. Box 22660, 1100 DE Amsterdam, The Netherlands
    Department of Gynecology, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Plesmanlaan 121, P.O. Box 90203, 1006 BE Amsterdam, The Netherlands)

  • Karen Nieuwenhuijsen

    (Department of Public and Occupational Health, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Amsterdam UMC University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, P.O. Box 22660, 1100 DE Amsterdam, The Netherlands)

Abstract

During menopause and midlife, female workers, particularly those in low-paid jobs, experience more occupational health problems than other groups of workers. Workplace interventions are often lacking, however. In the Netherlands, a workplace health promotion intervention—the work–life program (WLP)—has been developed to support female workers. Here, we tailored the WLP to the needs of female workers in low-paid jobs working at Amsterdam University Medical Center. In an exploratory mixed-methods study with a convergent design, among 56 participants, we used questionnaires before and after the intervention and semi-structured, in-depth interviews to address the following research question: What is the impact of the WLP on the women’s health and work functioning? Our quantitative data showed that menopausal symptoms improved significantly after the WLP. Our qualitative data, derived from 12 participants, showed that the WLP initiated a process of mental empowerment that initiated positive changes in four domains: behavior, physical health, mental wellbeing, and in the workplace. Taken with caution, our findings suggest that the WLP mentally empowers female workers to make choices that enhance their health and wellbeing, both at work and in their private lives, as summarized in the quote of one participant: “I get that spirit in me!”.

Suggested Citation

  • Marjolein Verburgh & Petra Verdonk & Yolande Appelman & Monique Brood-van Zanten & Karen Nieuwenhuijsen, 2020. "“I Get That Spirit in Me”—Mentally Empowering Workplace Health Promotion for Female Workers in Low-Paid Jobs during Menopause and Midlife," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(18), pages 1-21, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:18:p:6462-:d:409182
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Mishra, Gita & Kuh, Diana, 2006. "Perceived change in quality of life during the menopause," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 62(1), pages 93-102, January.
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    Cited by:

    1. Beatrice I. J. M. Van der Heijden & Karen Pak & Mónica Santana, 2021. "Menopause and Sustainable Career Outcomes: A Science Mapping Approach," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(23), pages 1-21, November.

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