{"paper_id":"7c2fc016-0003-4aeb-a451-83f07d7cdd88","body_text":"Invisible barriers? Navigating ambition, visibility, and career development with endometriosis\nDOI:\nhttps://doi.org/10.20856/jnicec.5708Keywords:\nSocial Cognitive Career Theory, Career and health, Workplace guidance, Women's careers, Inclusive careers guidanceAbstract\nEndometriosis affects approximately 10% of people of reproductive age, however its influence on career development remains underexplored. This study applies Social Cognitive Career Theory (SCCT) to examine how endometriosis can shape women’s career development. Using an interpretivist, qualitative design, six semi structured interviews with UK-based women aged 30-39 were analysed through reflexive thematic analysis. Findings highlight constrained career mobility, revised ambitions, overcompensation, burnout, and concerns about professional reputation, shaped by gendered workplace norms. Supportive management, flexible working, and Occupational Health (OH) provision mitigated these impacts. The study extends SCCT research and offers recommendations for inclusive careers support and workplace practice.\nReferences\nAllaire, C., Bedaiwy, M. A., & Yong, P. J. (2023). Diagnosis and management of endometriosis. Canadian Medical Association Journal, 195(10), E363-E371. http://dx.doi.org/10.1503/cmaj.220637\nBraun, V., & Clarke, V. (2022). Thematic Analysis: A Practical Guide. SAGE Publications.\nDenny, E. (2004). Women’s experience of endometriosis. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 46(6), 641-648. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2648.2004.03055.x\nEstes, S. J., Soliman, A. M., Yang, H., Wang, J., & Freimark J. (2020). A Longitudinal Assessment of the Impact of Endometriosis on Patients’ Salary Growth and Risk of Leaving the Workforce. Advances in Therapy, 37(5), 2144-2158. 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Journal of Psychosomatic Obstetrics and Gynaecology, 25(2), 123-133. https://doi.org/10.1080/01674820400002279\nLent, R. W. (2013). Career-Life Preparedness: Revisiting Career Planning and Adjustment in the New Workplace. The Career Development Quarterly, 61(1), 2-14. https://doi.org/10.1002/j.2161-0045.2013.00031.x\nLent, R. W. (2021). Career Development and Counseling: A Social Cognitive Framework. In S. D. Brown & R. W. Lent (Eds.), Career Development and Counseling: Putting Theory and Research to Work (3rd ed., pp. 148-181). John Wiley & Sons, Inc.\nLent, R. W. & Brown, S. D. (2013). Social cognitive model of career self-management: Toward a unifying view of adaptive career behavior across the life span. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 60(4), 557-568. DOI:10.1037/a0033446\nLent, R. W., Morrison, M. A., & Ezeofor, I. (2014). The Career Development of People with Disabilities: A Social Cognitive Perspective. In D. Strauser (Ed.), Career Development, Employment, and Disability in Rehabilitation: From Theory to Practice (pp. 135-149). Springer.\nMissmer, S. A., Tu, F. T., Agarwal, S. K., Chapron, C., Soliman, A. M., Chiuve, S., Eichner, S., Flores-Caldera, I., Horne, A. W., Kimball, A. B., Laufer, M. R., Singh, S. S., Taylor, H. S., & As-Sanie, S. (2021). Impact of Endometriosis on Life-Course Potential: A Narrative Review. International Journal of General Medicine, 14, 9-29. https://dx.doi.org/10.2147/IJGM.S261139\nMorassutto, C., Monasta, L., Ricci, G., Barbone, F., & Ronfani, L. (2016). Incidence and Estimated Prevalence of Endometriosis and Adenomyosis in Northeast Italy: A Data Linkage Study. Public Library of Science ONE, 11(4), Article e0154227. DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0154227\nNnoaham, K. E., Hummelshoj, L., Webster, P., d’Hooghe, T., de Cicco Nardone, F., de Cicco Nardone, C., Jenkinson, C., Kennedy, S. H., & Zondervan, K. T. (2011). Impact of endometriosis on quality of life and work productivity: a multicenter study across ten countries. Fertility and Sterility, 96(2), 366-373. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fertnstert.2011.05.090\nDownloads\nPublished\nLicense\nCopyright (c) 2026 Jenny Sloan\nThis work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.","source_license":"CC0","license_restricted":false}