Lifestyles of professionally active women

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HEALTH AND WELLNESS 2/2015
WELLNESS AND SOCIETY
CHAPTER XV
Department of Dental Anatomy Medical University of Wrocław
Zakład Anatomii Stomatologicznej
Uniwersytetu Medycznego we Wrocławiu
1
Department of Tourism and Recreation WSB of Wrocław
Zakład Turystyki i Rekreacji WSB we Wrocławiu
2
NATALIA MANDZIOS1 , WIESŁAW KURLEJ1, KAMIL NELKE1,
JACEK ZBOROWSKI1, ALEKSANDRA MARIA BABICKA2,
KATARZYNA STASZAK1
Styl życia kobiet aktywnych zawodowo
Key words: lifestyle, professionally active women
Słowa kluczowe: styl życia, kobiety aktywne zawodowo
Lifestyle indicates forms of everyday behavior of an individual (group) specific to
a particular social status [9]. Apart from behavior, lifestyle embrace also mechanisms
engaged in motivation, needs and values accepted by a human being. Among numerous classifications of a woman’s lifestyle, the Meuller’s [6] typology deserves its
recognition. The given author distinguishes six types of career patterns: 1. The pattern
of a housewife, 2. Conventional career, 3. Professional career, 4. Professional career
and a family life, 5. Intermittent employment, 6. Unstable employment. On the basis
of this typology, two factors are additionally crucial to be taken into account while
studying the lifestyles of professionally active women i.e. the character of the job
(physical, or intellectual), as well as their age.
Wellness and society
MATERIAL AND METHODS
The study has been conducted on the basis of survey questionnaire embracing 37
questions complemented with an direct interview. Anonymous survey was conducted
among 4 groups of women: younger (aged 25-35), older (36-46), intellectually working (in court administration), and physically working (in grocery store). Each group
was consisting of 25 respondents living in Wroclaw. Despite of anonymous character
of the given study, women were not prone to give any honest information, so an additional interview that provided the most reliable answers was required. The statistical
analysis was carried on Staistica 6.0 and Excel and chi-square test (χ2) with Spearman
coefficient (ɤ) were used.
RESULTS
Table I. An assessment of activity by professionally working women
Physically working women Intellectually working women
Activity assessment
Age 25-35
N/%
Age 36-46
N/%
Age 25-35
N/%
Age 36-46
N/%
Very active
20/80,0
19/76,0
15/60,0
15/60,0
Lack of activity
0
3/12,0
1/4,0
5/20,0
Active from time to time
0
0
3/12
0
Difficult to assess
5/20,0
3/12,0
6/24.0
5/20,0
On the basis of the given results, it can be said that professionally active women
are mainly those who perform physical profession. Respondents who have sedentary
profession (caring of their appearance, with no physical activity at work) do not perceive themselves as professionally active. For many women this assessment plays no
importance.
Table II. An assessment of professional fulfillment by respondents
Physically working
women
Intellectually working
women
Professional fulfillment
188
Age 25-35
N/%
Age 36-46
N/%
Age 25-35
N/%
Age 36-46
N/%
Very satisfactory
0
3/8,0
2/8,0
10/40,0
Satisfactory
10/40,0
5/20,0
10/40,0
5/20,0
To a small extent
8/32,0
5/20,0
3/12,0
0
Sometimes satisfactory
2/8,0
5/20,0
5/20,0
2/8,0
Natalia Mandzios, Wiesław Kurlej, Kamil Nelke, Jacek Zborowski,
Aleksandra Maria Babicka, Katarzyna Staszak
Physically working
women
women
Professional fulfillment
Unsatisfactory
Age 25-35
N/%
Age 36-46
N/%
Age 25-35
N/%
Age 36-46
N/%
5/20,0
8/32,0
5/20,0
8/32,0
On the basis of the given outcomes, the most satisfactory professional fulfillment
may be observed among older women with intellectual professions. However, regardless of age and position, there is a vast amount of women that claimed their work to
be unsatisfactory, as well as do not meet their expectations. Older women probably
(regardless of the character of performed profession) have guaranteed stability in
terms of their employment. When it comes to intellectually working women, their
professional fulfillment is caused rather by higher remuneration, contrary to those
working physically.
Table III. An assessment of awareness on a healthy diet; regularity of meal
intake; diet and its influence on self-fulfillment
Physically working women
Awareness on a
healthy diet
women
Age 25-35
N/%
Age 36-46
N/%
Age 25-35
N/%
Age 36-46
N/%
Aware
13/52,0
15/60,0
15/60,0
20/80,0
Lack of awareness
8/32,0
8/32,0
2/8,0
3/12,0
Aware to a certain extent
4/16,0
2/8,0
8/32,0
2/8,0
Regularity of food intake
4-5 times a day
20/80,0
5/20,0
18/72,0
5/20,0
3 times a day
0
3/12,0
5/20,0
0
Irregular food intake
5/20,0
17/68,0
2/8,0
20/80,0
Being on a diet
Counting calories
5/20,0
8/32,0
8/32,0
8/32,0
Not combining carbohydrates with proteins
2/8,0
0
8/32,0
8/32,0
Detox diet (starvation)
5/20,0
0
2/8,0
2/8,0
189
Physically working women
Awareness on a
healthy diet
women
Age 25-35
N/%
Age 36-46
N/%
Age 25-35
N/%
Age 36-46
N/%
Blood group diet
5/20,0
2/8,0
8/32,0
5/20,0
None
15/60,0
15/60,0
10/40,0
10/40,0
Diet and its influence on self-fulfillment
Influence
5/20,0
5/20,0
11/44,0
8/32,0
Not necessarily
15/60,0
15/60,0
12/48,0
12/48,0
Lack of influence
5/20,0
5/20,0
2/8.0
5/20,0
There is insignificant tendency to inclining awareness of healthy diet along with
age. Regardless of healthy diet awareness and profession, older women perform irregular food intake.
A large percentage of respondents stated, that they did not comply with any dietary
recommendations (regardless of their age, as well as professions). There is insignificant tendency to associate a diet with self-fulfillment (regardless the age and profession of respondents). The vast majority of mental workers happened to recognize
such a relationship.
Table IV. Physical activity of respondents
Physically working
women
women
Physical activity
Age 25-35
N/%
Age 36-46
N/%
Age 25-35
N/%
Age 36-46
N/%
On a daily basis
0
0
3/12,0
0
1-2 times a week
5/20,0
5/20,0
2/8,0
11/44,0
3-4 times a week
7/28,0
3/12,0
10/40,0
0
Lack of regular physical
activity
13/52,0
17/68,0
10/40,0
14/56,0
The type of physical activity
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Jogging
0
7/28,0
0
0
Swimming
0
0
3/12,0
8/32,0
Gym workout
0
8/32,0
3/12,0
0
Physically working
women
women
Physical activity
Age 25-35
N/%
Age 36-46
N/%
Age 25-35
N/%
Age 36-46
N/%
Aerobic, yoga
2/8,0
3/12,0
4/16,0
8/32,0
Dance
0
3/12,0
3/12,0
0
Cycling
4/16,0
4/16,0
8/32,0
3/12,0
None
0
14/56,0
11/44,0
13,52,0
Reasons to be physically active
Health care (physician’s
recommendation)
17/68,0
17/68,0
14/56,0
17,68,0
Physical fitness maintenance
0
0
4/16,0
20/80,0
Social meeting
3/12,0
0
0
3/12,0
Relaxation
5/20,0
3/12,0
3/12,0
0
Good appearance
5/20,0
0
13/52,0
8/32,0
Pleasure, fun
3/12,0
5/20,0
4/16,0
0
Respondents were more prone to irregular physical activity, if such occurred. Women perform diversified sport disciplines related to physical activity. Those surveyed
picked three motivations out of those proposed. The major reason to be physically
active is health care.
Table V. Selected lifestyle parameters of those physically active
Smoking
cigarettes
Yes
Physically working
women
women
Age 25-35
N/%
Age 36-46
N/%
Age 25-35
N/%
Age 36-46
N/%
11/44,0
12/48,0
3/12,0
3/12,0
Alcoholic beverages intake
Often
5/20,0
0
3/12,0
3/12,0
Sometimes
14/56,0
21/84,0
22/88,0
22/88,0
191
Abstinence
6/24,0
4/16,0
0
0
Health care (periodic assessments)
Yes
17/68,0
17/68,0
10/40,0
17/68,0
Physically working women are more often addicted to smoking. The rare consumption of alcoholic beverages has been declared by the majority of respondents
(regardless of their age and profession). Interestingly, the group of physical workers
is more prone to abstinence, contrary to those who perform mental work.
The majority of women (except younger mental workers) undergoes medical periodic assessments, which mainly is connected with employee’s duty. Negative answers may be caused by additional examinations related not only with the work position, but also with screening severe diseases (cancer) threatening a life of an individual
– these can be considered as periodic, or final assessments which are undertaken on
employee’s request.
Table VI. Self-consciousness in terms of one’s appearance; Self-consciousness in
terms of being attractive for men; Self-consciousness in relation to other women
Self-consciousness in terms of
one’s appearance
Physically working
women
women
Age 25-35
N/%
Age 36-46
N/%
Age 25-35
N/%
Age 36-46
N/%
Assessed
as relevant
20/80,0
17/68,0
17/68,0
12/48,0
Assessed
as irrelevant
5/20,0
8/32,0
8/32,0
13/52,0
Self-consciousness in terms of being attractive for men
Assessed
as relevant
10/40,0
5/20,0
8/32,0
10/40,0
Assessed
as irrelevant
15/60,0
20/80,0
17/68,0
13/52,0
Self-consciousness in relation to other women
Assessed
as relevant
0
5/20,0
5/20,0
5/20,0
Assessment of self-consciousness
High self-consciousness
192
15/60,0
15/60,0
13/52,0
13/52,0
Self-consciousness in terms of
one’s appearance
Physically working
women
Age 25-35
N/%
Age 36-46
N/%
women
Age 25-35
N/%
Age 36-46
N/%
A will to improve one’s appearance
Willful
15/60,0
10/40,0
10/40,0
13/52,0
Maybe
in the future
5/20,0
13/52,0
13/52,0
10/40,0
An external appearance plays the crucial role for respondents regardless of their
age, or profession. Older women show the declining tendency in that field of interest.
All women responded positively in that matter, aiming to be attractive for men. With
respect to other females, the care for external appearance is not that crucial. Selfconsciousness of the appearance among respondents seems to be on the high level and
positive. The majority of those surveyed declared the will to improve their image in
the future, or even now.
Table VII. Sleep parameters
Physically working
women
women
Sleep parameters
Age 25-35
N/%
Age 36-46
N/%
Age 25-35
N/%
Age 36-46
N/%
Approximately 8 hours
5/20,0
23/92,0
2/8,0
10/40,0
Less than 8 hours
20/80,0
2/8,0
23/92,0
15/60,0
The sleep parameters of those working mentally and physically is very evident,
with those former showing sleep deficiency. It is probably caused by different character of job, and their greater physical fatigue.
DISCUSSION
The physical work can be recognized as „more difficult”, or „harder” than this
mental one, but it carries benefits in form of so called professional activity. According
to ancient aphorisms “the work lightens up the life”, “it is necessary to achieve a state
of happiness” and “it is a source of richness” – undoubtedly this Greek convictions
were related to hard physical work [2]. That’s why frequent statements about hard
work making people happier and self-fulfilled are not wondering anyone. Nowadays,
that is also connected to the intellectual type of work; sometimes very time-consuming, demanding, and thus hard. Vast percentage of respondents claimed, that intellectual work predisposes huge effort (also the physical one) and brings satisfaction.
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Hard physical work, or a monotonous intellectual work neither brings any satisfaction,
nor meets their professional expectations. At older women (regardless of their profession) there exists some kind of stabilization in terms of their employment. The professional fulfillment of those working intellectually is related to higher wages, contrary to those who work physically.
We devote much time to work perceiving our workplace not only in terms of earnings, but also professional fulfillment, and realization of individual passions. Those
employed want to perform their professional duties more effective and successful
(manage more effectively and organize their work), get promoted, and rewarded. Employees want to be committed, but they face difficulties at achieving goals demanded
at the workplace e.g. in form of mobbing, professional burnout etc. The time devoted
to work plays crucial role at the time assigned to the relaxation [1].
It should be remembered, that numerous values, apart from professional fulfillment are important for women in order to achieve the state of satisfaction.
As it was expected, women physically working in the age range 36-46 do not improve their skills, contrary to younger physical workers who are prone to attend various courses, or even universities. Similar tendency can be observed among the intellectual workers, whereas even the half of younger respondents is still being educated (they are attending courses, studying etc.). Unfortunately, there is some kind of
stagnation in the range of acquired qualifications, even though their possession is the
easiest way to improve one’s living conditions. Improving one’s qualifications should
be at employee’s interest, but also the employer with the consent of the employee can
demonstrate this initiative. Then he or she can benefit from that fact, receiving numerous privileges (training leave, exemption from the part of the working day, reimbursement of the costs of education, commuting, housing, or the purchase of textbooks
[4].
There are sometimes difficulties to be met by employees in the range of improving
qualifications - an employer may not be willing to pursue with labor code regulations.
In this case, an employee should improve his qualifications and bear expenditure on
his own along with the perspective of changing his workplace. There is declining tendency in terms of stabilization at one workplace. Employees often change their employers , branches, or even professions [7].
A healthy nutrition depends on consumption of food positively influencing one’s
health and its enhancement - it decreases the risk of diseases, or obesity. It provides
an appropriate amount of micro and macro nutrients necessary for appropriate functioning of the organism. As it was stated by Hippocrates - a human is born healthy,
and all the illnesses are inherited from food [2].
An awareness of healthy diet is spread among women who care of their appearances. The regularity of their food intake is related undoubtedly with the character of
their job. Older women do not pay much attention to regularity of food intake, contrary to those younger who believe that it is related strictly to good mood and flawless
appearance. Lack of regularity in meals consumption at older women may be related
to the fear of being obese; mainly at those working physically. It can also be connected
to their priorities of intellectual traits, rather than outer appearance.
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Considering a very high percentage of women who are not on any kind of diet, the
result of a research rises some doubts - since it is commonly accepted that every woman had been at least once in her life on some kind of diet. Perhaps, the proposed
diets were not suitable for women and they had been using different methods of i.e.
keeping the right body weight. Perceiving a relation between a diet and self-fulfillment in a group of the so called white-collar women is connected with being happy
about their own appearance and a general self-realization in reaching their life goals.
People who do not pay much attention to their appearance are often perceived negatively (as weak, unattractive). Regardless, a right way of eating ensures unquestionable health benefits and all the related consequences.
The result concerning a big percentage of women who do not exercise regularly is
rather disturbing. Physical activity is, in fact, beneficial for better well-being, the looks and most of all – better health, in a psychological sense as well. Physical activity
helps dealing with stress [8]. According to CBOS survey from 2012, only one fourth
of Poles exercises regularly and takes an active rest in their free time [11]. Physical
activity during working hours is an excuse, neither among women who work in an
office, nor those who work physically. Physical activity outside of a workplace impacts creating correct interpersonal relationships. It is important to understand that
physical activity is not solely connected with exhaustion which leads to losing weight.
Other aspects of such activity are also important – better state of mind which generates
success in professional and family area of life. Or overcoming difficulties connected
with everyday effort, both physical and psychological [1]. For young women working
in an office, main motivation towards physical activity is taking care of their appearance. One must also notice that physical activity is additionally connected with eating
right. Therefore, these two factors of lifestyle influence essentially one's health, also
in prophylaxis. Countless benefits stem from physical activity, especially in the area
of one's health and state of mind [3], which are appreciated by most of the female
respondents regardless of age and work they perform (education).
In most cases, smoking cigarettes among female physical workers is probably caused by not being aware of the danger connected with this habit. A list of reasons for
giving up smoking is very long and packed with health aspects - persons who smoke
die much younger than the non-smokers [7].
Excessive alcohol drinking is undoubtedly pernicious. Women are more addicted
to this habit than men. Alcohol, according to World Health Organization (WHO) is
on third place among risk factors to health among Europeans. Even occasional alcohol
drinking may cause health and social problems (intoxication, accidents). Declaring
abstinence by women who work physically may be caused by such unpleasant experiences in their own family.
Despite the mandatory preventive medical check-ups, recommended by the employer, everyone should be aware of doing the check-ups proposed for a certain age
group and of the danger stemming from a particular lifestyle. It mainly concerns gynecological examination, not recommended by the occupational physician, for women
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within the scope of typical for them gynecological and breasts threats. Early recognition of these diseases, when there still are no obvious symptoms, may be very helpful
to a successful treatment.
The judgment on people's appearance has reached an absurd level – we pay more
attention to our appearances than the way we behave and what 'spiritual' values we
represent [7]. Persons who are exposed to giving judgment on their appearances are
in most cases young, immature and lost; they come from families where appearance
was highly valued. Persons who resist such judgment are mature and slowly realize
the consequences of time passing by [10].
A positive self-assessment of one's appearance, in the light of presented motivations, shows that the surveyed women are not fully self-confident. A sense of their
own value, an objective assessment of their appearances, and other positive sides may
differ.
It is important to create one's own image. It may have started as early as in the
childhood years, when the inappropriate behaviors were being negated by parents and
caused lowering of one's self-esteem. A huge negative role in this field plays comparing oneself and pursuing some specific model without seeing one's own originality
[3]. The literature shows that most women want to master their skills and competences
rather than their appearance, which argues with the research results. It may be a result
of an alternative in the way the intellectual and professional capabilities had been
presented.
A daily need for sleep is an individual issue, however, it definitely depends on the
physical fatigue. Research on longevity has shown that one of the important factors is
sleep duration (apart from physical activity and the sense of having a meaningful life).
[5].
CONCLUSIONS
1. Relevant differences between the activity of physically, and intellectually working
females have been stated regardless of their age.
2. Wages and stabilization are important factors making one’s satisfied of a work.
They dominate among older women performing an intellectual type of a work.
3. A vast majority of respondents is aware of benefits resulting from leading healthy
lifestyle and its influence on one’s successfulness, however their physical activity
is not frequent.
4. The motivation of women to perform any physical activity varies depending on
one’s age, and the character of one’s profession.
5. The awareness related to periodic medical assessments varies regardless of age
and the profession among women.
6. Physically working women perform excessive smoking; however they are less
prone to alcohol intake.
7. The majority of women shows irregular food intake, and do not follow any diet,
despite their awareness of consequences in that field.
196
REFERENCES
1. Brzuska T.: Nie warto ścigać się z życiem. Sens, rozwój, zdrowie, piękno. 2014.
1, 78-79.
2. Chadzinikolau N.: Aforyzmy greków. Zysk i S-ka Wydawnictwo 2009, 56-57.
3. Domaradzka A.: Differently active? Reasons for Poles social (in)activity. In: R.
Siemieńska, P. Radkiewicz (eds) Społeczeństwo w czasach zmiany: badania Polskiego Generalnego Sondażu Społecznego 1992-2009, Warszawa, Scholar 2010.
163-177.
4. Kodeks i prawo pracy. Obwieszczenie Marszałka Sejmu Rzeczypospolitej Polskiej z dnia 17 września 2014 r. w sprawie ogłoszenia jednolitego tekstu ustawy Kodeks pracy (Dz. U. z 2014r. Nr0, poz.1502.
5. Martin P.: Liczenie baranów. O naturze i przyjemnościach snu. Spectrum Warszawa 2011.
6. Meuller K. H.: Educating women for changing word. Minneapolis. Univ. of Minnesota Press. 1954.
7. Morawska I.: Sztuka życia. Moda na zdrowie dla ciebie i twojej rodziny 2014, 3
58-61.
8. Rybak M.: Nauczyciel ruchu. Sens 2013, 12, 87-88.
9. Siciński A.: Styl życia: koncepcje i propozycje. PWN Warszawa 1976.
10. Trawkowska-Bryłka E.: W pułapce kultu ciała. Opoka Warszawa 2014.
11. Weir K.: Terapia FIT. Charaktery, magazyn psychologiczny. 2013, 8, 46-51.
ABSTRACT
The assessment of professionally working women is difficult, due to numerous
problems related to the realization of one’s ambitions - frequent failures leading to
complexes. Women, more than men, in each period of their lives encounter various
family-, health-, and professionally-related problems. The study has been conducted
on the basis of survey questionnaire embracing 37 questions complemented with an
direct interview. Anonymous survey was conducted among 4 groups of women: younger (aged 25-35), older (36-46), intellectually working (in court administration),
and physically working (in grocery store). Each group was consisting of 25 respondents living in Wroclaw. Relevant differences between the activity of physically, and
intellectually working females have been stated, regardless of their age. Wages and
stabilization are important factors making one’s satisfied of a work. They dominate
among older women performing an intellectual type of a work. A vast majority of
respondents is aware of benefits resulting from leading healthy lifestyle and its influence on one’s successfulness, however their physical activity is not frequent. The motivation of women to perform any physical activity varies depending on one’s age,
and the character of one’s profession. The awareness related to periodic medical as197
sessments varies regardless of age and the profession among women. Physically working women perform excessive smoking, however they are less prone to alcohol intake. The majority of women shows irregular food intake, and do not follow any diet,
despite their awareness of consequences in that field.
STRESZCZENIE
Ocena stylu życia kobiet pracujących zawodowo jest utrudniona ze względu na
liczne problemy związane z realizowaniem własnych ambicji - częstymi niepowodzeniami prowadzącymi do kompleksów. Kobiety, bardziej niż mężczyźni, w każdym
okresie życia uwikłane są w liczne problemy rodzinne, zawodowe i zdrowotne. Badania przeprowadzono na podstawie kwestionariusza badawczego, który zawierał 37
pytań uzupełnionych bezpośrednim wywiadem. Anonimowe badania ankietowe przeprowadzono w 25 osobowych grupach kobiet młodszych (w wieku 25-35 lat) i starszych (w wieku 36-46 lat), pracujących umysłowo (w administracji sądowniczej) i
fizycznie (w sklepie spożywczym) na terenie miasta Wrocławia. Stwierdzono istotne
różnice między aktywnością kobiet pracujących fizycznie i umysłowo przy czym
wiek nie miał istotnego znaczenia. Na satysfakcję z wykonywanej pracy istotny
wpływ ma wynagrodzenie i stabilizacja - które to cechy dominują u kobiet starszych
pracujących umysłowo. Zdecydowana większość respondentek zdaje sobie sprawę z
korzyści wynikających z prozdrowotnego stylu życia i jego wpływu na odnoszenie
sukcesów, jednak ich aktywność ruchowa jest na niskim poziomie. Motywacja kobiet
do aktywności ruchowej jest zróżnicowana w zależności od wieku i charakteru wykonywanej pracy. Świadomość związana z wykonywaniem dodatkowych badań lekarskich jest niezależna od wieku i charakteru wykonywanej pracy. Kobiety pracujące
fizycznie nadużywają palenia papierosów ale są bardziej wstrzemięźliwe w spożywaniu napojów alkoholowych. Większość kobiet odżywia się nieregularnie i nie stosuje
określonej diety mimo, że zdają sobie sprawę z prozdrowotnego stylu życia w tym
zakresie.
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Lifestyles of professionally active women

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