Occupational Disruption and Role Strain During Perimenopause

Occupational Disruption and Role Strain During Perimenopause: A Mixed-Methods Study

The purpose of this sequential exploratory mixed-methods study is to examine the relationship between perimenopausal symptom severity and occupational performance, occupational balance, and role participation in women aged 40-55. A secondary purpose is to explore the lived experience of occupational disruption during perimenopause through qualitative interviews.

Study Overview

• Status: Not yet recruiting
• Conditions: Perimenopause
• Intervention / Treatment: Other: Confidential Surveys

Detailed Description

Perimenopause is associated with fatigue, sleep disturbance, vasomotor symptoms, mood changes, and cognitive difficulties. While the literature addresses symptom management, limited research examines the functional impact of perimenopause on daily occupations, work participation, and role performance. Occupational therapy (OT) emphasizes participation in meaningful activities; however, there is minimal research exploring occupational disruption during midlife hormonal transition. This study aims to add to the OT literature. The study aims to explore the question: How do perimenopausal symptoms impact occupational performance, role participation, and occupational balance in midlife women?

1. Is perimenopausal symptom severity associated with decreased occupational balance?
2. Is symptom severity associated with reduced role participation?
3. How do women describe the impact of perimenopause on daily occupations? The proposed study will examine how perimenopausal symptoms influence: Work performance, Home responsibilities, cognitive functioning, sleep and fatigue, and occupational balance. The goal is to better understand how healthcare professionals, including OTs, can support women during this transition.

• Study Type: Observational
• Enrollment (Estimated): 100

Contacts and Locations

• Study Contact: Name: Christine Mulligan, OTD; Phone Number: 5182105086; Email: mullic@sage.edu

Study Locations

• United States
  • New York
    • Troy, New York, United States, 12180
      • Russell Sage College

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

Perimenopause is associated with fatigue, sleep disturbance, vasomotor symptoms, mood changes, and cognitive difficulties. While the literature addresses symptom management, limited research examines the functional impact of perimenopause on daily occupations, work participation, and role performance. Occupational therapy (OT) emphasizes participation in meaningful activities; however, there is minimal research exploring occupational disruption during midlife hormonal transition.

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Women aged 40-55
• Self-reported perimenopausal symptoms
• Currently employed (paid or unpaid) or managing household roles
• English-speaking

Exclusion Criteria:

• Surgical menopause
• Current pregnancy

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Number of groups / cohorts

1

Cohorts and Interventions

Group / Cohort	Intervention / Treatment
Women; Women aged 40-55 with self-reported perimenopausal symptoms, who are surrently employed (paid or unpaid) or managing household roles and are English-speaking.	Other: Confidential Surveys; Participants who consent to participate will complete confidential surveys and one voluntary interview.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Occupational Balance Questionnaire (OBQ-11)	An 11-item, self-report instrument developed to assess perceived occupational balance.	Baseline

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Menopause-Specific Quality of Life Questionnaire (MENQOL)	A validated self-report tool designed to assess the impact of menopausal symptoms on health-related quality of life. It consists of 29 items across four domains	Baseline
Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Fatigue	Measures fatigue and its effects on daily functioning, including frequency, intensity, duration, and impact on physical, cognitive, and social activities.	Baseline

Other Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Semi-structured interview	Participants who voluntarily agree to be contacted with high symptom severity will consent to a confidential semi-structured interview.	Baseline

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Russell Sage College
• Collaborators: Binghamton University
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: Christine Mulligan, Russell Sage College

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Estimated): June 1, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): December 1, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): May 1, 2027

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: April 26, 2026
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: May 1, 2026
• First Posted (Actual): May 6, 2026

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): May 6, 2026
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: May 1, 2026
• Last Verified: May 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Other Study ID Numbers: RussellSage2

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: NO

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No