Annika Forssén | Umeå University (original) (raw)
Papers by Annika Forssén
PubMed, Nov 22, 2000
The article is a review of different trends and epistemologies in women's studies/feminist resear... more The article is a review of different trends and epistemologies in women's studies/feminist research within the field of medicine. In the beginning of the 1980s, women's studies entered the field of medicine in the Nordic countries. They are now a part of the feminist research that has been established within most sciences both nationally and internationally. The gender power relation and its impact on health--first of all women's, but in extension also men's--has been in focus. Moreover, science itself, its limits and possibilities, and the kind of knowledge it produces, is discussed. In this respect, feminist theory of science is a useful tool.
PubMed, Apr 18, 2001
Women often feel compelled to assume responsibility for the needs and wishes of others. This is o... more Women often feel compelled to assume responsibility for the needs and wishes of others. This is of consequence to their own health. The concept "compulsive sensitivity" is used in this article to describe a work injury that can result when this demand is excessive and the trained sensitivity to the needs of others has come to dictate woman's way of being and acting. This kind of ill health is seen as a result of the gender division of labor that persists in our society. The article is based on qualitative research on women's work, health and ill health.
Scandinavian Journal of Public Health, Mar 1, 2006
Aim: This paper describes strategies developed by women to handle lack of time for themselves, an... more Aim: This paper describes strategies developed by women to handle lack of time for themselves, and lack of freedom, in private life. Methods: The paper reports on one self-assessed health resource identified in a larger qualitative study on women's paid and unpaid work and health/sickness. Twenty strategically selected women were interviewed, elderly women being chosen to obtain a lifetime perspective. The interviews were audio-taped and analysed according to a phenomenological approach. Results: Expectations had been placed on the interviewees as women: to give care, always to be available for other family members, to adjust to their husbands. Many of them recalled seeking privacy (``a room of one's own'') to avoid constant demands and interruptions, and as a refuge from partner domination. This was a conscious health-promoting strategy on their part. A room of one's own did not necessarily mean a physical room, but the right to — and the possibility of — a life of one's own. Forms of privacy included gainful employment, a separate bedroom, own social engagements. Conclusions: Family life still demands more from women than from men, putting many women under constant time pressure and without time for themselves. In heterosexual relationships, women frequently feel controlled. Prevailing norms for married women and mothers, causing blame and feelings of guilt, remain obstacles to women wanting ``a room of their own''. The health resource of having such a room, and strategies for creating one, should be given attention in medical research and practice — not least in primary care.
Läkartidningen, 2000
The article is a review of different trends and epistemologies in women’s studies/feminist resear... more The article is a review of different trends and epistemologies in women’s studies/feminist research within the field of medicine. In the beginning of the 1980s, women’s studies entered the field of medicine in the Nordic countries. They are now a part of the feminist research that has been established within most sciences both nationally and internationally. The gender power relation and its impact on health - first of all women’s, but in extension also men’s - has been in focus. Moreover, science itself, its limits and possibilities, and the kind of knowledge it produces, is discussed. In this respect, feminist theory of science is a useful tool.
Health Care for Women International, Nov 8, 2007
This article is one aspect of a larger, qualitative interview study and deals with health-promoti... more This article is one aspect of a larger, qualitative interview study and deals with health-promoting aspects of gainful employment, as experienced by a group of elderly Swedish women. Through these interviews we demonstrate the central importance of outside employment for many of the women, although they belonged to a generation where outside work conflicted with societal norms. We will illustrate a wide variety of ways in which gainful employment can contribute to women's well-being and, ultimately, their health.
Scandinavian Journal of Primary Health Care, 2001
conditions, the women often had dif culty looking after their own health. This study presents new... more conditions, the women often had dif culty looking after their own health. This study presents new knowledge about women's work, health and The results point to the necessity of asking women thorough ques-ill health. The point of departure is a lack of knowledge and tions about their everyday life when they seek primary health care. understanding in medical research and practice of women's work and experiences of ill health. Great parts of their work and working conditions, crucial to their The study is qualitative and based on the life histories of 20 elderly health, might otherwise be overlooked. women. What can be learned from them is often of use also in the encounter with younger female patients. The research constitutes a Key words: women, work, health, ill health, gender, power, qualitative research, feminist medical science. part of feminist science. The women taught us about invisible and heavy work, paid and Annika Forssén, Department of Human Work Sciences, Lulea Ê unpaid, and often carried out for the bene t of others. The relation
Health Care for Women International, Oct 6, 2008
This article is based on in-dept interviews with 20 elderly Swedish women, and deals with mother&... more This article is based on in-dept interviews with 20 elderly Swedish women, and deals with mother's child-caring work and related health and illness. Mothering included invisible work as well as physically heavy tasks, both aspects often neglected in research. The attitude of the children's father had a great impact on the work. Feelings of success or failure at bringing up their children affected the women's experience of health/ill health throughout their lives. Their health as elderly women depended on the health and happiness of their, now adult, children.
Recension av Christina Janssons avhandling "Maktfyllda moten i medicinska rum. Debatt, kunsk... more Recension av Christina Janssons avhandling "Maktfyllda moten i medicinska rum. Debatt, kunskap och praktik i svensk forlossningsvard 1960-1985."
Journal of Psychosomatic Research, Jun 1, 2016
Seroepidemiology, comorbidity and riskfactors for Puumula hantavirus in a highly endemic area of ... more Seroepidemiology, comorbidity and riskfactors for Puumula hantavirus in a highly endemic area of Sweden
"Actually, I have enjoyed my job more than anything else." Gainful employment as a heal... more "Actually, I have enjoyed my job more than anything else." Gainful employment as a health resource for women. : Results from a qualitative study.
PubMed, Nov 22, 2000
The article is a review of different trends and epistemologies in women's studies/feminist resear... more The article is a review of different trends and epistemologies in women's studies/feminist research within the field of medicine. In the beginning of the 1980s, women's studies entered the field of medicine in the Nordic countries. They are now a part of the feminist research that has been established within most sciences both nationally and internationally. The gender power relation and its impact on health--first of all women's, but in extension also men's--has been in focus. Moreover, science itself, its limits and possibilities, and the kind of knowledge it produces, is discussed. In this respect, feminist theory of science is a useful tool.
PubMed, Apr 18, 2001
Women often feel compelled to assume responsibility for the needs and wishes of others. This is o... more Women often feel compelled to assume responsibility for the needs and wishes of others. This is of consequence to their own health. The concept "compulsive sensitivity" is used in this article to describe a work injury that can result when this demand is excessive and the trained sensitivity to the needs of others has come to dictate woman's way of being and acting. This kind of ill health is seen as a result of the gender division of labor that persists in our society. The article is based on qualitative research on women's work, health and ill health.
Scandinavian Journal of Public Health, Mar 1, 2006
Aim: This paper describes strategies developed by women to handle lack of time for themselves, an... more Aim: This paper describes strategies developed by women to handle lack of time for themselves, and lack of freedom, in private life. Methods: The paper reports on one self-assessed health resource identified in a larger qualitative study on women's paid and unpaid work and health/sickness. Twenty strategically selected women were interviewed, elderly women being chosen to obtain a lifetime perspective. The interviews were audio-taped and analysed according to a phenomenological approach. Results: Expectations had been placed on the interviewees as women: to give care, always to be available for other family members, to adjust to their husbands. Many of them recalled seeking privacy (``a room of one's own'') to avoid constant demands and interruptions, and as a refuge from partner domination. This was a conscious health-promoting strategy on their part. A room of one's own did not necessarily mean a physical room, but the right to — and the possibility of — a life of one's own. Forms of privacy included gainful employment, a separate bedroom, own social engagements. Conclusions: Family life still demands more from women than from men, putting many women under constant time pressure and without time for themselves. In heterosexual relationships, women frequently feel controlled. Prevailing norms for married women and mothers, causing blame and feelings of guilt, remain obstacles to women wanting ``a room of their own''. The health resource of having such a room, and strategies for creating one, should be given attention in medical research and practice — not least in primary care.
Läkartidningen, 2000
The article is a review of different trends and epistemologies in women’s studies/feminist resear... more The article is a review of different trends and epistemologies in women’s studies/feminist research within the field of medicine. In the beginning of the 1980s, women’s studies entered the field of medicine in the Nordic countries. They are now a part of the feminist research that has been established within most sciences both nationally and internationally. The gender power relation and its impact on health - first of all women’s, but in extension also men’s - has been in focus. Moreover, science itself, its limits and possibilities, and the kind of knowledge it produces, is discussed. In this respect, feminist theory of science is a useful tool.
Health Care for Women International, Nov 8, 2007
This article is one aspect of a larger, qualitative interview study and deals with health-promoti... more This article is one aspect of a larger, qualitative interview study and deals with health-promoting aspects of gainful employment, as experienced by a group of elderly Swedish women. Through these interviews we demonstrate the central importance of outside employment for many of the women, although they belonged to a generation where outside work conflicted with societal norms. We will illustrate a wide variety of ways in which gainful employment can contribute to women's well-being and, ultimately, their health.
Scandinavian Journal of Primary Health Care, 2001
conditions, the women often had dif culty looking after their own health. This study presents new... more conditions, the women often had dif culty looking after their own health. This study presents new knowledge about women's work, health and The results point to the necessity of asking women thorough ques-ill health. The point of departure is a lack of knowledge and tions about their everyday life when they seek primary health care. understanding in medical research and practice of women's work and experiences of ill health. Great parts of their work and working conditions, crucial to their The study is qualitative and based on the life histories of 20 elderly health, might otherwise be overlooked. women. What can be learned from them is often of use also in the encounter with younger female patients. The research constitutes a Key words: women, work, health, ill health, gender, power, qualitative research, feminist medical science. part of feminist science. The women taught us about invisible and heavy work, paid and Annika Forssén, Department of Human Work Sciences, Lulea Ê unpaid, and often carried out for the bene t of others. The relation
Health Care for Women International, Oct 6, 2008
This article is based on in-dept interviews with 20 elderly Swedish women, and deals with mother&... more This article is based on in-dept interviews with 20 elderly Swedish women, and deals with mother's child-caring work and related health and illness. Mothering included invisible work as well as physically heavy tasks, both aspects often neglected in research. The attitude of the children's father had a great impact on the work. Feelings of success or failure at bringing up their children affected the women's experience of health/ill health throughout their lives. Their health as elderly women depended on the health and happiness of their, now adult, children.
Recension av Christina Janssons avhandling "Maktfyllda moten i medicinska rum. Debatt, kunsk... more Recension av Christina Janssons avhandling "Maktfyllda moten i medicinska rum. Debatt, kunskap och praktik i svensk forlossningsvard 1960-1985."
Journal of Psychosomatic Research, Jun 1, 2016
Seroepidemiology, comorbidity and riskfactors for Puumula hantavirus in a highly endemic area of ... more Seroepidemiology, comorbidity and riskfactors for Puumula hantavirus in a highly endemic area of Sweden
"Actually, I have enjoyed my job more than anything else." Gainful employment as a heal... more "Actually, I have enjoyed my job more than anything else." Gainful employment as a health resource for women. : Results from a qualitative study.