Department of Family Therapy Dissertations and Applied Clinical Projects

Date of Award

2024

Document Type

Dissertation - NSU Access Only

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Advisor

Christopher Burnett

Abstract

Perimenopause is a natural yet vulnerable part of a woman’s development (Ali et al., 2020; Shea et al., 2020) that may last 6 or more years (North American Menopause Society, n.d.) and may alter her quality of life (Willig, 2017). Through this research, I aimed to (a) explore the impacts of perimenopause on women, with a focus on Afro-Caribbean women, their mental health, family relationships, and work life and (b) map the transmission of anxiety patterns over generations. I adopted a qualitative interpretative phenomenological strategy utilizing semi-structured interviews to collect data from six (N = 6) Afro-Caribbean women in perimenopause. Using a seven-step process of interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA), I analyzed the data collected and uncovered themes through an inductive approach. I utilized Bowen family systems theory (BFST) concepts as a deductive approach to interpret and understand themes arising from participants’ experiences. I ensured trustworthiness and credibility of the findings through reflexivity, rigorous data collection and analysis, direct quotations, triangulation, and peer review. Results from this study may broaden the awareness and understanding of marriage and family therapists in their therapeutic care with women through this transitional phase. Ultimately, this study serves as an added resource to the mental health field by providing valuable insights into the effects of perimenopause on women, particularly Afro-Caribbean women, and contributing to a greater understanding of the role of family systems in the transmission of anxiety patterns. Keywords: perimenopause, menopause transition, Afro-Caribbean women, multigenerational anxiety patterns, Bowen family systems theory (BFST)

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