‘I might have cried in the changing room, but I still went to work’. Maternity staff balancing roles, responsibilities, and emotions of work and home during COVID-19: An appreciative inquiry

Authors: Arnold, R., van Teijlingen, E., Way, S. and Mahato, P.

Journal: Women and Birth

Volume: 37

Issue: 1

Pages: 128-136

eISSN: 1878-1799

ISSN: 1871-5192

DOI: 10.1016/j.wombi.2023.07.128

Abstract:

Problem: Knowing how to help staff thrive and remain in practice in maternity services. Background: A chronic shortage of staff in maternity services in the United Kingdom and high levels of stress and burnout in midwifery and medical staff. Purpose: To understand how to support and enhance the wellbeing of staff in a small UK maternity service. Methods: An appreciative inquiry using interviews with n = 39 maternity staff and n = 4 group discussions exploring meaningful experiences, values and factors that helped their wellbeing. Results: Staff members were highly motivated, managing a complex melee of emotions and responsibilities including challenges to professional confidence, mental health, family situation, and conflict between work-life roles. Despite staff shortages, a demanding workload, professional and personal turmoil, and the pandemic participants still found meaning in their work and relationships. Discussion: A ‘whole person’ approach provided insight into the multiple stressors and emotional demands staff faced. It also revealed staff resourcefulness in managing their professional and personal roles. They invested in relationships with women but were also aware of their limits - the need to be self-caring, employ strategies to switch-off, set boundaries or keep a protective distance. Conclusion: Staff wellbeing initiatives, and research into wellbeing, would benefit from adopting a holistic approach that incorporates home and family with work. Research on emotion regulation strategies could provide insights into managing roles, responsibilities, and the emotional demands of working in maternity services. Emotion regulation strategies could be included in midwifery and obstetric training.

https://eprints.bournemouth.ac.uk/38792/

Source: Scopus

'I might have cried in the changing room, but I still went to work'. Maternity staff balancing roles, responsibilities, and emotions of work and home during COVID-19: An appreciative inquiry.

Authors: Arnold, R., van Teijlingen, E., Way, S. and Mahato, P.

Journal: Women Birth

Volume: 37

Issue: 1

Pages: 128-136

eISSN: 1878-1799

DOI: 10.1016/j.wombi.2023.07.128

Abstract:

PROBLEM: Knowing how to help staff thrive and remain in practice in maternity services. BACKGROUND: A chronic shortage of staff in maternity services in the United Kingdom and high levels of stress and burnout in midwifery and medical staff. PURPOSE: To understand how to support and enhance the wellbeing of staff in a small UK maternity service. METHODS: An appreciative inquiry using interviews with n = 39 maternity staff and n = 4 group discussions exploring meaningful experiences, values and factors that helped their wellbeing. RESULTS: Staff members were highly motivated, managing a complex melee of emotions and responsibilities including challenges to professional confidence, mental health, family situation, and conflict between work-life roles. Despite staff shortages, a demanding workload, professional and personal turmoil, and the pandemic participants still found meaning in their work and relationships. DISCUSSION: A 'whole person' approach provided insight into the multiple stressors and emotional demands staff faced. It also revealed staff resourcefulness in managing their professional and personal roles. They invested in relationships with women but were also aware of their limits - the need to be self-caring, employ strategies to switch-off, set boundaries or keep a protective distance. CONCLUSION: Staff wellbeing initiatives, and research into wellbeing, would benefit from adopting a holistic approach that incorporates home and family with work. Research on emotion regulation strategies could provide insights into managing roles, responsibilities, and the emotional demands of working in maternity services. Emotion regulation strategies could be included in midwifery and obstetric training.

https://eprints.bournemouth.ac.uk/38792/

Source: PubMed

'I might have cried in the changing room, but I still went to work'. Maternity staff balancing roles, responsibilities, and emotions of work and home during COVID-19: An appreciative inquiry

Authors: Arnold, R., van Teijlingen, E., Way, S. and Mahato, P.

Journal: WOMEN AND BIRTH

Volume: 37

Issue: 1

Pages: 128-136

eISSN: 1878-1799

ISSN: 1871-5192

DOI: 10.1016/j.wombi.2023.07.128

https://eprints.bournemouth.ac.uk/38792/

Source: Web of Science (Lite)

) "I might have cried in the changing room, but I still went to work". Maternity staff managing roles, responsibilities, and emotions of work and home during COVID-19: an Appreciative Inquiry

Authors: Arnold, R., Way, S., Mahato, P. and van Teijlingen, E.

Journal: Women and Birth

Publisher: Elsevier

ISSN: 1871-5192

Abstract:

Problem: Knowing how to help staff thrive and remain in practice in maternity services.

Background: A chronic shortage of staff in maternity services in the United Kingdom and high levels of stress and burnout in midwifery and medical staff. Purpose: To understand how to support and enhance the wellbeing of staff in a small English maternity service.

Methods: An appreciative inquiry using interviews with 39 maternity staff and four group discussions exploring meaningful experiences, values and factors that helped their wellbeing.

Results: Staff members were highly motivated, managing a complex melee of emotions and responsibilities including challenges to professional confidence, mental health, family situation, and conflict between work-life roles. Despite staff shortages, a demanding workload, professional and personal turmoil, and these pandemic participants still found meaning in their work and relationships.

A ‘whole person’ approach provided insight into the multiple stressors and emotional demands staff faced. It also revealed staff resourcefulness in managing their professional and personal roles. They invested in relationships with women but were also aware of their limits - the need to be self-caring, employ strategies to switch-off, set boundaries or keep a protective distance.

Conclusion: Staff wellbeing initiatives, and research into wellbeing, would benefit from adopting a holistic approach that incorporates home and family with work. Research on emotion regulation strategies could provide insights into managing roles, responsibilities, and the emotional demands of working in maternity services. Emotion regulation strategies could be included in midwifery and obstetric training.

https://eprints.bournemouth.ac.uk/38792/

Source: Manual

'I might have cried in the changing room, but I still went to work'. Maternity staff balancing roles, responsibilities, and emotions of work and home during COVID-19: An appreciative inquiry.

Authors: Arnold, R., van Teijlingen, E., Way, S. and Mahato, P.

Journal: Women and birth : journal of the Australian College of Midwives

Volume: 37

Issue: 1

Pages: 128-136

eISSN: 1878-1799

ISSN: 1871-5192

DOI: 10.1016/j.wombi.2023.07.128

Abstract:

Problem

Knowing how to help staff thrive and remain in practice in maternity services.

Background

A chronic shortage of staff in maternity services in the United Kingdom and high levels of stress and burnout in midwifery and medical staff.

Purpose

To understand how to support and enhance the wellbeing of staff in a small UK maternity service.

Methods

An appreciative inquiry using interviews with n = 39 maternity staff and n = 4 group discussions exploring meaningful experiences, values and factors that helped their wellbeing.

Results

Staff members were highly motivated, managing a complex melee of emotions and responsibilities including challenges to professional confidence, mental health, family situation, and conflict between work-life roles. Despite staff shortages, a demanding workload, professional and personal turmoil, and the pandemic participants still found meaning in their work and relationships.

Discussion

A 'whole person' approach provided insight into the multiple stressors and emotional demands staff faced. It also revealed staff resourcefulness in managing their professional and personal roles. They invested in relationships with women but were also aware of their limits - the need to be self-caring, employ strategies to switch-off, set boundaries or keep a protective distance.

Conclusion

Staff wellbeing initiatives, and research into wellbeing, would benefit from adopting a holistic approach that incorporates home and family with work. Research on emotion regulation strategies could provide insights into managing roles, responsibilities, and the emotional demands of working in maternity services. Emotion regulation strategies could be included in midwifery and obstetric training.

https://eprints.bournemouth.ac.uk/38792/

Source: Europe PubMed Central

"I might have cried in the changing room, but I still went to work". Maternity staff managing roles, responsibilities, and emotions of work and home during COVID-19: an Appreciative Inquiry

Authors: Arnold, R., Way, S., Mahato, P.K. and van Teijlingen, E.

Journal: Women and Birth

Publisher: Elsevier

ISSN: 1871-5192

Abstract:

Problem: Knowing how to help staff thrive and remain in practice in maternity services.

Background: A chronic shortage of staff in maternity services in the United Kingdom and high levels of stress and burnout in midwifery and medical staff. Purpose: To understand how to support and enhance the wellbeing of staff in a small English maternity service.

Methods: An appreciative inquiry using interviews with 39 maternity staff and four group discussions exploring meaningful experiences, values and factors that helped their wellbeing.

Results: Staff members were highly motivated, managing a complex melee of emotions and responsibilities including challenges to professional confidence, mental health, family situation, and conflict between work-life roles. Despite staff shortages, a demanding workload, professional and personal turmoil, and these pandemic participants still found meaning in their work and relationships.

A ‘whole person’ approach provided insight into the multiple stressors and emotional demands staff faced. It also revealed staff resourcefulness in managing their professional and personal roles. They invested in relationships with women but were also aware of their limits - the need to be self-caring, employ strategies to switch-off, set boundaries or keep a protective distance.

Conclusion: Staff wellbeing initiatives, and research into wellbeing, would benefit from adopting a holistic approach that incorporates home and family with work. Research on emotion regulation strategies could provide insights into managing roles, responsibilities, and the emotional demands of working in maternity services. Emotion regulation strategies could be included in midwifery and obstetric training.

https://eprints.bournemouth.ac.uk/38792/

Source: BURO EPrints