Depressive Symptoms in Mothers: The Role of Employment and Role Quality

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.

KEYWORDS:

• Austria
• depression
• employment
• mother
• multiple roles

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.