Working conditions contribute to fertility-related quality of life: a cross-sectional study in Japan

Abstract

Research question: Is there an association between employment conditions and fertility-related quality of life among women undergoing fertility care?

Design: The study was a cross-sectional survey of 721 women in Japan recruited via an online social research panel. Participants included women aged 25-44 years with paid employment who were undergoing fertility diagnosis or treatment. They completed online questionnaires to assess fertility quality of life (FertiQoL) and job stress based on the demand-control-support model (Brief Job Stress Questionnaire). Information was also collected on individual and partner employment conditions (e.g. working hours per week, access to time off) and partner support of fertility treatment.

Results: The mean FertiQoL scores were low, ranging from 42 (emotional) to 65 (relational). A multivariable linear regression model showed that the total FertiQoL score was significantly associated with several work-related variables, including the participants' self-employment status (β = 0.11), job demand (β = -0.18), co-worker support (β = 0.14) and access to time off (β = 0.22), as well as their partner's access to time off (β = 0.11), number of working hours (β = -0.11) and level of cooperation (β = 0.18), after adjusting for clinical and socioeconomic factors, including age (β = 0.10), diagnosis of male infertility (β = -0.07), long duration of treatment (β = -0.12) and frequent clinic visits (β = -0.10) (all Ps < 0.05, adjusted R² = 0.27).

Conclusions: Fertility-related quality of life is significantly associated with certain employment conditions among both women and their partners. Easy access to time off, lighter workloads and supportive co-workers could contribute to higher fertility-related quality of life by helping employees effectively manage their work and fertility treatments.

Keywords: FertiQoL; Job stress; Quality of life; Time off; Working hours.