Job-Family Role Strain among Employed Single Mothers of Preschoolers

This study aims to define the perspectives taken by single mothers when combining work and motherhood in a stressful work–life constellation. One of the challenges for single mothers after divorce is to find a work–life balance in their single-parent family system. Regarding work-life balance, we take a General Strain Perspective, describing the work-life conflict as a combination of financial strain and role strain. We argue that both strains are the most problematic for single mothers in comparison to their married and/or male counterparts, as both finances and parenthood ideologies are more under pressure. For this reason, we explore how single mothers coped with this strain, answering the question: ‘Which perspectives on the combination motherhood and work do single mothers take in their attempt to balance role strain and financial strain after divorce?’ To answer this research question, we used a qualitative approach, based on 202 in-depth interviews with single mothers in Belgium. These interviews involved two groups: A primary research population of 13 single mothers and an elaborative research population of 189 single mothers. Timelines were used to structure the single mothers’ narratives. The analysis resulted in the contruction of a typology of four different perspectives based on how single mothers dealt with maternal role strain and financial strain: the re-invented motherhood perspective, the work-family symbiosis perspective, the work-centered motherhood perspective and the work-family conflicted perspective. We found that perspective of single mothers in their work-life strain can be described by the flexibility and/or strictness in either their motherhood ideology and/or their work context. These results point at the needs for policymakers, employers, and practitioners to focus on initiatives improving the work–life balance of single mothers by reducing financial and role strains.

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Work/Family Role Strain among Employed Parents

Family Relations ◽

10.2307/583575 ◽

1985 ◽

Vol 34 (3) ◽

pp. 367 ◽

Cited By ~ 87

Author(s):

Robert F. Kelly ◽

Patricia Voydanoff

Keyword(s):

Role Strain ◽

Family Role ◽

Work Family ◽

Employed Parents

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Perceptions of International Female Students toward E-Learning in Resolving High Education and Family Role Strain

Journal of Educational Computing Research ◽

10.2190/ec.50.4.b ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 50 (4) ◽

pp. 467-487 ◽

Cited By ~ 12

Author(s):

Mboni Kibelloh ◽

Yukun Bao

Keyword(s):

High Education ◽

Role Strain ◽

Female Students ◽

Family Role ◽

E Learning

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The influence of family environment and child temperament on work/family role strain for mothers and fathers

Infant and Child Development ◽

10.1002/icd.323 ◽

2003 ◽

Vol 12 (5) ◽

pp. 421-439 ◽

Cited By ~ 12

Author(s):

Marceline Lee ◽

Lynne Vernon-Feagans ◽

Arcel Vazquez ◽

Amy Kolak

Keyword(s):

Family Environment ◽

Role Strain ◽

Child Temperament ◽

Family Role ◽

Mothers And Fathers ◽

Work Family

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Gezin en arbeid in je eentje

Tijdschrift voor Arbeidsvraagstukken ◽

10.5117/2011.027.004.487 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 27 (4) ◽

Author(s):

Marie Kruyfhooft ◽

Dimitri Mortelmans

Keyword(s):

Single Mothers ◽

Daily Life ◽

Single Parents ◽

Work Life ◽

Work Life Balance ◽

Family Role ◽

Life Balance ◽

Mothers And Fathers ◽

Combination Strategies ◽

Family And Work

Family and work on your own. The combination strategies of single mothers and fathers Family and work on your own. The combination strategies of single mothers and fathers Due to demographic changes, the situation of single parents has received a lot of attention in public debate and new policies. Nevertheless, little scientific information is available on the daily life and social conditions of single parents. In a dual parents household, previous research found two types of strategies to find a work-life balance. First, one can choose to intervene in the work role: the parent can reduce, adjust or end his/her working schedule. Second, one can adjust their family role by outsourcing a part of his/her family role. However, the question remains which strategies single parents use to find a work-family balance. Using 28 biographical interviews, this qualitative research focused on the daily life of single parents in Flanders and their search for a work-life balance. The results suggest four types of single parents, based on criteria such as job satisfaction, feelings of guilt, educational problems, and socio-economical characteristics. This article will discuss for each of these four groups the strategies they use to (re-)find balance in their work-life conflict.

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