Moving more for mental well-being in menopause: development of workplace intervention strategies

In 2021, the Scottish Government launched a Women's Health Plan, acknowledging the need to better support the ~400,000 women of menopausal age. Menopausal symptoms can have a negative impact on women's work experiences, with lower employment rates/attendance associated with a number of menopausal symptoms. Women with mental health symptoms are most adversely affected. Whilst there is substantial evidence that meeting recommended physical activity levels has significant mental health benefits, national surveillance data shows many Scottish women are inactive, with a clear decrease evident around the menopause life stage. Building on an existing successful working relationship with the collaborating partner SAMH (the Scottish Association for Mental Health), the overall aim of this PhD project is to develop workplace resources to support women during the menopause life stage to be physically active and enhance their mental wellbeing. This aim will be achieved through three studies including: a systematic review of existing evidence; a qualitative exploration of women's experiences of menopause, mental wellbeing and physical activity in the workplace; and a co-production study to develop a toolbox of intervention resources. These evidence-based intervention resources are likely to be highly sought-after products from the PhD, ready for dissemination by the collaborating partner. The studentship will support the student to develop a range of research skills that will equip them well for a future research career (i.e., systematic reviewing, qualitative methods, co-production, intervention design, management of sensitive data, knowledge exchange and dissemination). The supervisors have substantial expertise on intervention development to support physical activity behaviour change, and with their track record of successful doctoral supervision and external collaboration, are ideally placed to support the student. SAMH will play a central role in this studentship, through regular consultation on research direction, supporting participant recruitment through their networks, co-producing intervention outputs, and knowledge exchange and impact opportunities. laire Fitzimons (second supervisor)