Preeclampsia and Its Effects on Work-Related Psychosocial Stressors and Recovery Needs
Hella E C Muijsers1*, Olivier W H van der Heijden2
1Department of Cardiology, Radboud University Medical Center, Geert-Grooteplein Zuid 10, 6525 GA, Nijmegen, Netherlands.
2Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands.
*Correspondence: Hella E C Muijsers, Department of Cardiology, Radboud University Medical Center, Geert-Grooteplein Zuid 10, 6525 GA, Nijmegen, Netherlands. E-mail: hella.muijsers@radboudumc.nl
Received: February 20, 2021; Accepted: March 17, 2021; Published: March 25, 2021
Citation: Muijsers HEC, van der Heijden OWH. Preeclampsia and Its Effects on Work-Related Psychosocial Stressors and Recovery Needs. J Gynecol Obstet Reprod Med. 2021;1(1):1-8.
Copyright: © 2021 Muijsers HEC. This is an open-access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License terms, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.
ABSTRACT
Objective: Women who have experienced preeclampsia and/or Hemolysis Elevated Liver enzymes Low Platelets (HELLP) syndrome often report cognitive issues such as difficulties with concentration and memory. These cognitive challenges, along with depressive symptoms, can negatively impact their ability to work. However, little is known about how work-related psychosocial factors and the need for recovery are affected after a pregnancy complicated by preeclampsia/HELLP. This study aims to explore whether work-related aspects, recovery needs, and opportunities for recovery differ in women with a history of these conditions.
Methods: Data were collected through online questionnaires distributed to members of the Dutch HELLP Foundation. These surveys gathered information on medical and obstetric history as well as work-related psychosocial factors, need for recovery, and recovery opportunities. The short Copenhagen Psychosocial Questionnaire (COPSOQ-II), the work-related need for recovery scale, and the recovery opportunities scale were used for assessment.
Results: A total of 137 women, with a mean (SD) age of 36 (5.8) years, completed the questionnaire. The median time since the complicated pregnancy was 3 years, with the average gestational age at delivery being 34 weeks and 2 days. Participants reported notably poor outcomes in areas such as work pace, self-rated health, and burnout risk. Additional areas of concern included quantitative demands, workplace influence, work-family conflict, and mental stress. Moreover, 106 women indicated a significant need for recovery related to work.
Conclusion: Previous experiences of preeclampsia/HELLP appear to negatively influence key work-related aspects, particularly work pace, job demands, control at work, and the need for recovery from work-related stress.
Keywords: HELLP syndrome; Preeclampsia; Work-related need for recovery; Psychosocial aspects at work; Recovery opportunities at work.
