Psychology

Shift work, role overload, and the transition to parenthood

Document Type

Article

Abstract

This article examines how the work hours, work schedules, and role overload of working-class couples are related to depressive symptoms and relationship conflict across the transition to parenthood. Data are from 132 dual-earner couples interviewed 5 times across the transition. Multilevel modeling analyses revealed that working evening or night shifts, as opposed to day shifts, was related to higher levels of depressive symptoms. For mothers only, working rotating shifts predicted relationship conflict. Increases in role overload were positively related to both depression and conflict; working a nonday shift explained variance in depression and conflict above and beyond role overload. Results suggest that for new parents, working nonday shifts may be a risk factor for depressive symptoms and relationship conflict. © National Council on Family Relations, 2007.

Publication Title

Journal of Marriage and Family

Publication Date

2-1-2007

Volume

69

Issue

1

First Page

123

Last Page

138

ISSN

0022-2445

DOI

10.1111/j.1741-3737.2006.00349.x

Keywords

conflict, depression, dual-earner, transition to parenthood, work family balance, work hours

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