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The research data was gathered by distributing surveys to women over the age of eighteen from as many different countries
and/or cultures as possible. The purpose of distributing surveys to women of different countries and/or cultures was to achieve
a broad, international perspective on the subject of women’s well-being. Due to the difficulty of finding international
women willing to participate in the interviews, many of the interviews originate in the United States. However, women from
Bosnia, Japan, Panama and Lithuania participated in our survey. Of those who are from the United States, most are members
of a minority group.
Subject A is a mother from Lithuania. Subject B is a college student from Bosnia who is studying in the United States. Subject
C is an unmarried Japanese woman. An Asian-American, Subject D also attends college. Subject E is a married African-American
mother who works while caring for her family. Subject F identifies herself as African-American, and believes in the strength
of women. Subject G defines herself as a mother. Subject H is also a mother and has triumphed over many health issues. Subject
I was born in Panama and attends college. Subject J is an American college student with a unique perspective.
To protect and ensure the anonymity of the interviewees, a letter of consent was drafted and sent to all participants. This
letter can be found under Appendix A. A list of survey questions was also sent to all participants. The survey can be found under Appendix B. The questions were formulated to explore the effects of culture and relationships on women’s well-being. The questions
succeeded in their goal. However, the first four questions of the interview were answered by the subjects in a rather broad
and non-personal manner. Only after the fourth question did women begin to give more personal and extended answers. The
last set of questions concerning relationships received some of the most detailed responses.
The interviews were conducted through e-mail, by instant message, and in person. The transcripts are located under Appendix C. Most surveys were completed through e-mail due to the respondent’s time constraints. Although e-mail is a very quick
method of communication, some of the answers to the surveys were very short, because the interviewer could not ask for elaboration
or examples. The time restraints of the interviewees and the unwillingness of potential respondents made interview deadlines
difficult to meet. At least three interviewers had to contact a second – sometimes a third or fourth – person
before they found someone willing to answer the questions who had time available.
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