Document Type

Journal Article

Publication Title

Midwifery

Volume

140

PubMed ID

39550814

Publisher

Elsevier

School

School of Nursing and Midwifery

RAS ID

77893

Comments

Buchanan, K., Dawson, K., Taylor, J., & Bayes, S. (2025). The work of midwives: The socio-institutional theory of the meaning of midwives’ work-life balance. Midwifery, 140. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.midw.2024.104240

Abstract

Background: Globally, midwifery is facing a potential workforce crisis. A significant number of midwives intending to leave the profession often cite burnout as contributing to this decision. While it has been reported that work-life balance is a key element in deciding to stay in midwifery, little is known about what constitutes work-life balance and the barriers to achieving this. Aim: The aim of this study was to explore what work-life balance means to Australian midwives, and to determine its crucial features. Methods: Qualitative Description methodology was used for this study. Data were collected from 31 midwives in Australia working in hospital settings, and different models of care. Data were collected using open ended questions via an online survey. Thematic analysis with a socio-institutional lens was applied to the data. Findings: The findings were organised to three themes: ‘Tipping the balance: The socio-institutional factors that shape midwives’ work-life balance; ‘Taking it home: The unique occupational characteristics of midwifery emotion work’ and ‘Finding harmony: Midwifery agency fosters presence and joy’. Together these explain the macro-, meso- and micro- level factors that characterise midwives’ work-life balance. Conclusion: The concept of work-life ‘blending’ is proposed as a more accurate depiction for midwifery than ‘balance’, where integration of work and life can be beneficial if autonomy and midwifery role and professional identity are valued. The majority of midwives are women who carry a significant domestic burden outside of work, and gender affirming structural changes to better support the role and full scope of the midwives to facilitate blending of work and life in a way that works for them are recommended.

DOI

10.1016/j.midw.2024.104240

Creative Commons License

Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 License.

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