Researchers' perspectives of self-agency within a context of violence and harm in maternity care.
Midwifery
; 137: 104120, 2024 Oct.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-39089175
ABSTRACT
PROBLEM:
There is an increasing awareness of the prevalence of obstetric violence within maternity care and that some women and birthing people are at greater risk of experiencing violence and harm.BACKGROUND:
Supporting self-agency for women and birthing people in maternity care may be a way of addressing the disparities in vulnerability to violence and harm.AIM:
To explore researchers' perspectives of self-agency for women from different backgrounds, what inhibits and prevents self-agency, and how self-agency can be enabled.METHODS:
A qualitative research design was undertaken underpinned by a reproductive justice framework. Group interviews were held with researchers working with perinatal women/birthing people with histories and experiences of violence and abuse. Reflexive thematic analysis using Bronfenbrenner's ecological systems theory was undertaken.FINDINGS:
12 participants took part in two group interviews. Two themes were developed 'defining self-agency' and 'ecological influences on self-agency'.DISCUSSION:
The findings identify how self-agency should not be perceived as an intrinsic attribute, but rather is underpinned by exogenous and endogenous influences. Whether and how self-agency is enacted is determined by interacting factors that operate on a micro, meso and macro level perspective. Self-agency is undermined by factors including immigration policies and sociocultural perspectives that can lead to under-resourced and judgemental care, other intersectional factors can also lead to some individuals being more vulnerable to violence and harm.CONCLUSION:
Implications from this work include strategies that emphasise woman-centred care, staff training and meaningful organisational change to optimise positive health and wellbeing.Palavras-chave
Texto completo:
1
Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Pesquisa Qualitativa
/
Serviços de Saúde Materna
Limite:
Adult
/
Female
/
Humans
/
Pregnancy
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Midwifery
Assunto da revista:
ENFERMAGEM
/
OBSTETRICIA
Ano de publicação:
2024
Tipo de documento:
Article
País de publicação:
Reino Unido