# Influence of marital pressures and cultural constructs on females (IMPACT-F): a global study of female medical students and doctors

## TL;DR

This study shows how marriage and cultural pressures affect the careers and well-being of female medical professionals worldwide.

## Contribution

The study provides global insights into how cultural and marital expectations uniquely impact women in medicine.

## Key findings

- Most female medical professionals face societal pressure to marry, which influences their career choices.
- Marriage-related stress and expectations to prioritize child-rearing or part-time work are linked to high stress and burnout.
- Common coping strategies include communication with partners and support from family or mentors.

## Abstract

Female medical students and doctors (women in medicine) face systemic gender biases, cultural expectations, and marital pressures that are linked to their career trajectories, leadership opportunities, and well-being. This study explores these barriers globally, assessing their connection to gender equity, career advancement, and retention in medicine.

To evaluate how marital and cultural pressures relate to the career progression and emotional well-being of women in medicine.

A cross-sectional online survey using convenience and snowball sampling was disseminated globally through the Hub-and-Spokes model between November 2023 and December 2023. Responses (N = 3,031) from 53 countries were analysed in SPSS after consolidating Likert scales into three categories.

Most respondents (78.7%, N = 2386) reported that female doctors face greater societal expectations to marry, and 72.4% (N = 2195) noted that these expectations correspond with career choices. Marriage-related pressure from family or friends was reported by 61.5% (N = 1865). Over half agreed that women are expected to prioritise child-rearing (51.2%, N = 1552) or work part-time (52.7%, N = 1597). These pressures correlated with high stress (72.9%), guilt or self-blame (68.6%), and burnout (70.3%). Reported coping strategies included open communication with partners (84.6%), boundary setting (76.7%), and family or mentor support systems (72%).

Societal and cultural pressures remain closely linked to the professional and personal challenges of women in medicine. Targeted policy reforms and supportive workplace structures are needed to promote gender equity and well-being in medicine.

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12909-025-08519-3.