Abstract
The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether paid employment of mothers in Austria with children up to 10 years of age is related to depressive symptoms (N = 248). Three contrasting theories—scarcity theory, role enhancement theory, and role quality theory—have been discussed to explain the relation of multiple-role occupation and depressive symptoms. Results indicate that (a) in accordance with the assumptions of scarcity theory working mothers have higher levels of depressive symptoms than not-working mothers; (b) in accordance with role quality theory only mothers with low work-role quality have higher rates of depressive symptoms; and (c) besides work status the perceived quality of the mother role was significantly related to depressive symptoms.
Acknowledgments
This research was funded by a grant from the Österreichische Nationalbank Jubiläumsfonds (Project Nr. 12.269).
Notes
Note. R 2 = .41 for Step 1: ΔR 2 = .02 for Step 2 (ps < .01): ΔR 2 = .00 for Step 3 (ps > .05).
*p < .05, **p < .01, ***p < .001.