Work-family Balance: Experiences of Doctoral Women Students in Kenyan Universities.

Work- family balance has influence on women doctoral students which leads to slow progression and increased attrition. The purpose of this study was to explore the experiences of women doctoral students in balancing work and family. The study was guided by the research question: What are the experiences of women doctoral students in balancing studies, work and family? The study employed transcendental phenomenology approach, with an in-depth interview of 11 participants who were sampled from public and private universities in Kenya through criterion sampling. The criteria used to select participants was; women who are in formal employment, married and mothers with more than two years in the doctoral program. Data were collected using semi-structured interview guide. Data were recorded using audio reorder, then transcribed, coded and analyzed to come up with significant statements, meaning and themes which formed textural descriptions. Finally structural description formed the essence. From the data analyzed, six themes emerged which were: Managing time, managing roles, prioritizing tasks, finding support, limited socialization and stressing. The overall structural description was purposeful management which made the essence. The study concluded that doctoral women had to manage the available time, roles and resources in order to balance family, work and studies. Recommendations were made on offering support services in universities to assist women pursuing doctoral studies in managing roles in order to complete their studies on time.

Doctoral students, Doctoral education, Work family balance

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