The Decision-making Process and Experiences of Women Returning to Work After Parental Leave: a Qualitative Systematic Review Protocol

Objective: To investigate the decision-making process of women returning to work after maternity leave or parental leave and explore the influence of cultural norms and societal expectations on their choices. Additionally, we seek to understand the lived experiences of the women in this context.

Introduction: Cultural norms and societal expectations significantly affect women's decisions regarding post-childbirth employment. However, a comprehensive understanding of these influences on women's experiences returning to work after parental leave is lacking.

Inclusion Criteria: We will include qualitative studies examining women's decision-making processes and experiences of returning to work after parental leave, with a focus on the influence of cultural norms and societal expectations. Studies from diverse cultural and geographical settings, including peer-reviewed journals and gray literature, will be considered without restrictions on publication date or language.

Methods: The review will adhere to the JBI approach for qualitative systematic reviews. Major academic databases and search engines, such as CINAHL, PubMed, and Google Scholar, will be used. Study selection will involve screening titles and abstracts for relevance, followed by a full-text assessment against inclusion criteria by two independent reviewers. Critical appraisal using the JBI Critical Appraisal Checklist for Qualitative Research will evaluate study rigor. Data extraction will be conducted by two independent reviewers, using the standardized JBI data extraction tool within JBI SUMARI, to identify key themes and findings related to the women's decision-making process and lived experiences of returning to work after parental leave. The meta-aggregation approach will be utilized to synthesize findings, with confidence assessed through study quality and consistency. Any methodological deviations will be documented. Findings will be graded using the ConQual approach and presented in a summary of findings table.

Discussion: By synthesizing data from different cultural contexts, this review will help bridge the gap in understanding how these factors influence women's choices. Rigor in the review will be ensured through the process of study selection, appraisal, and synthesis using the JBI approach. The findings will provide challenges faced by women and inform policies to help support their transition back to work.

Systematic Review Registration: PROSPERO CRD42024546633.