Psychological Well-Being in Pregnant and Breastfeeding Female Employees in Colombia

In Colombia, women's participation in the workforce faces significant challenges due to a precarious and poorly compensated labor market, which exposes them to informality and unemployment, particularly during pregnancy and breastfeeding. These challenges have adverse effects on their mental health. This descriptive–interpretive qualitative study aimed to examine the relationship between psychological well-being and employment among pregnant and lactating women in Bogotá. The study analyzed four dimensions of psychological well-being, as proposed by Carol Ryft: autonomy, positive relations with others, the environmental mastery, and personal growth. Structured interviews were conducted with 11 women from Bogotá, representing diverse academic backgrounds, employment contracts, and job positions. All interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and coded using NVivo software, combining deductive and inductive approaches to identify key themes and ensure rigor in the analysis. The findings revealed that these women encountered difficulties in controlling decisions related to motherhood, breastfeeding, and parenting. These challenges were primarily attributed to the nature of their jobs, which did not allow them to modify their workdays, tasks, or pace, consequently impacting dimensions of psychological well-being such as autonomy, environmental mastery, and overall family well-being. In conclusion, the psychological well-being is deeply shaped by the interaction between social, family, and work environments, as well as the presence or absence of employment guarantees and social support. These factors either support or hinder a woman's ability to make informed decisions about motherhood, breastfeeding, and parenting.