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Change and stability in work–family conflict and mothers' and fathers' mental health: Longitudinal evidence from an Australian cohort

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  • Cooklin, A.R.
  • Dinh, H.
  • Strazdins, L.
  • Westrupp, E.
  • Leach, L.S.
  • Nicholson, J.M.

Abstract

Work–family conflict (WFC) occurs when work or family demands are ‘mutually incompatible’, with detrimental effects on mental health. This study contributes to the sparse longitudinal research, addressing the following questions: Is WFC a stable or transient feature of family life for mothers and fathers? What happens to mental health if WFC increases, reduces or persists? What work and family characteristics predict WFC transitions and to what extent are they gendered? Secondary analyses of 5 waves of data (child ages 4–5 to 12–13 years) from employed mothers (n = 2693) and fathers (n = 3460) participating in the Longitudinal Study of Australian Children were conducted. WFC transitions, across four two-year intervals (Waves 1–2, 2–3, 3–4, and 4–5) were classified as never, conscript, exit or chronic. Significant proportions of parents experienced change in WFC, between 12 and 16% of mothers and fathers for each transition ‘type’. Parents who remained in chronic WFC reported the poorest mental health (adjusted multiple regression analyses), followed by those who conscripted into WFC. When WFC was relieved (exit), both mothers' and fathers' mental health improved significantly. Predictors of conscript and chronic WFC were somewhat distinct for mothers and fathers (adjusted logit regressions). Poor job quality, a skilled occupation and having more children differentiated chronic fathers' from those who exited WFC. For mothers, work factors only (skilled occupation; work hours; job insecurity) predicted chronic WFC. Findings reflect the persistent, gendered nature of work and care shaped by workplaces, but also offer tailored opportunities to redress WFC for mothers and fathers. We contribute novel evidence that mental health is directly influenced by the WFC interface, both positively and negatively, highlighting WFC as a key social determinant of health.

Suggested Citation

  • Cooklin, A.R. & Dinh, H. & Strazdins, L. & Westrupp, E. & Leach, L.S. & Nicholson, J.M., 2016. "Change and stability in work–family conflict and mothers' and fathers' mental health: Longitudinal evidence from an Australian cohort," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 155(C), pages 24-34.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:socmed:v:155:y:2016:i:c:p:24-34
    DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2016.02.036
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    2. Richardson, Robin A. & Harper, Sam & Schmitz, Norbert & Nandi, Arijit, 2018. "The effect of affordable daycare on women's mental health: Evidence from a cluster randomized trial in rural India," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 217(C), pages 32-41.
    3. Markus Brueckner, 2016. "Mortality and urbanization: An African tragedy," CAMA Working Papers 2016-66, Centre for Applied Macroeconomic Analysis, Crawford School of Public Policy, The Australian National University.
    4. Dinh, Huong & Cooklin, Amanda R. & Leach, Liana S. & Westrupp, Elizabeth M. & Nicholson, Jan M. & Strazdins, Lyndall, 2017. "Parents' transitions into and out of work-family conflict and children's mental health: Longitudinal influence via family functioning," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 194(C), pages 42-50.
    5. Hewitt, Belinda & Yerkes, Mara A. & Cooklin, Amanda & Strazdins, Lyndall, 2022. "Reciprocal relationships between time pressure and mental or physical health in Australian mothers of preschool aged children," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 301(C).
    6. Laritza Machín-Rincón & Eva Cifre & Pilar Domínguez-Castillo & Mónica Segovia-Pérez, 2020. "I Am a Leader, I Am a Mother, I Can Do This! The Moderated Mediation of Psychological Capital, Work–Family Conflict, and Having Children on Well-Being of Women Leaders," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(5), pages 1-22, March.
    7. Andrea Rørvik Marti & Eirik Degerud & Tom Sterud, 2022. "Onset of Work-Life Conflict Increases Risk of Subsequent Psychological Distress in the Norwegian Working Population," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(20), pages 1-9, October.
    8. Bonnie Janzen & Laurie-Ann Hellsten, 2021. "Household Income and Psychological Distress: Exploring Women’s Paid and Unpaid Work as Mediators," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(12), pages 1-15, June.
    9. Oshio, Takashi & Inoue, Akiomi & Tsutsumi, Akizumi, 2017. "Does work-to-family conflict really matter for health? Cross-sectional, prospective cohort and fixed-effects analyses," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 175(C), pages 36-42.
    10. Anu Molarius & Alexandra Metsini, 2021. "Domestic Work, Self-Reported Diagnosed Depression and Related Costs among Women and Men—Results from a Population-Based Study in Sweden," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(18), pages 1-11, September.

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