|
Work patterns and parenting
A very recent study in the USA examined how the work hours, work schedules,
and role overload of working-class couples might be related to the occurrence
of depressive symptoms and relationship conflict as couples move into becoming
parents.
The study interviewed 132 dual-earner couples 5 times across the transition
to parenthood.
Statistical analyses revealed that…
-
working evening or night shifts, as opposed to day shifts, was related
to higher levels of depressive symptoms
-
for mothers only, working rotating shifts predicted relationship conflict
-
increases in role overload were related to the emergence of both depression
and conflict
-
but working a non-day shift explained variance in depression and conflict
above and beyond the mere effect of role overload.
These results suggest that for new parents, working non-day shifts may
be a risk factor for depressive symptoms and relationship conflict.
This might be a useful piece of information to keep in mind when working
with ENRICH with young couples soon intending to have a child.
Reference:
Maureen Perry-Jenkins, Abbie E. Goldberg, Courtney P. Pierce, Aline
G. Sayer (2007).
Shift Work, Role Overload, and the Transition to Parenthood. Journal
of Marriage and Family, 69, (1), 123–138.
Past Hints Last Month : Take
your time...
News Update:
The December 2006 issue of the Newsletter, the Prepare Diary,
is available on this web site: To read, click on: December
2006 Diary The next newsletter will be posted in
mid-June.
PROCESSING FEE NOW $44.00
This is the first increase in the base cost of processing since 1999.
Our aim is to maintain the new processing charge for a lengthy period of
time (as we have done before). We always aimed to make the processing cost
comparable to that of a modest meal for a couple – we feel sure that $44
(for a couple) is still well and truly within those limits.
|