At Forbes, Jennifer “Jay” Palumbo has this piece on the stressors experienced by working moms and the approaches and policies that have been shown to aid their mental health:
“The intersection of work and motherhood presents unique challenges that can significantly impact mental health. The pressures of balancing professional responsibilities with parenting duties often lead to stress, anxiety, and depression among working mothers.
However, progressive workplace policies and benefits can play a crucial role in alleviating these challenges and fostering a supportive environment for working mothers.
The Mental Health of Moms
A study conducted by the American Psychological Association (APA) found that working mothers experience higher levels of stress and anxiety compared to their non-working counterparts. . . .
Lisa M. Gomez, the Assistant Secretary of the Employee Benefits Security Administration, emphasized, ‘Various studies have shown that working mothers are in crisis. They’re experiencing higher levels of burnout and increased diagnoses of anxiety and depression.’ . . .
Paid Parental Leave
Paid parental leave is another critical benefit that can support working mothers. The United States lags behind many other developed countries in offering comprehensive paid parental leave. According to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), the U.S. is the only OECD country that does not mandate paid parental leave on a national level.
Research has shown that paid parental leave has significant positive effects on mental health. A study by the National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER) found that mothers who had access to paid leave experienced lower levels of postpartum depression and were more likely to return to work, thereby reducing the financial and emotional stress associated with unpaid leave. . . .
Childcare Support
Childcare is a significant concern for working mothers, and the lack of affordable and reliable childcare options can contribute to stress and anxiety. Employers can support working mothers by offering on-site childcare, childcare subsidies, or partnerships with local childcare providers. The availability of dependable childcare options allows mothers to focus on their work without worrying about their children’s well-being.
A study by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) found that access to employer-supported childcare is associated with lower levels of work-family conflict and higher job satisfaction among working parents.”
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