Work life and mental wellbeing of single and non-single working mothers in Scandinavia

Bull, Torill; Mittelmark, Maurice B.

doi:10.1177/1403494809340494

Cited by 42 publications

(55 citation statements)

References 23 publications

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“…However, little is known about levels and predictors of mental well-being in various groups of employed mothers. A recent study by the author of the present paper assessed levels and predictors of mental well-being in samples of single and coupled employed mothers in Scandinavia (7). Coupled mothers reported higher levels of mental well-being and lower levels of financial hardship than single mothers.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 94%

Work life and mental well-being: single and coupled employed mothers in Southern Europe and Scandinavia

Bull¹

2009

Glob Health Promot

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Many European mothers, single and coupled, combine work outside the home and family life. The effects of this on their mental well-being may vary depending on the level of support available from the State's welfare system, since welfare may buffer working mothers from some of the stress that can arise from trying to manage significant responsibilities on the job and at home. Welfare may be especially important for single working mothers, for whom the burden of multiple roles may be even heavier. The present study assessed levels and predictors of well-being of single and coupled employed mothers in Greece, Portugal and Spain, where welfare support is relatively limited. Results were compared to a parallel study with data from Denmark, Norway and Sweden, where welfare support is relatively comprehensive. Coupled mothers in Scandinavia had significantly lower financial hardship, longer education, higher life satisfaction, more enriching jobs, practical support, financial support and social participation than coupled mothers in the Southern European sample. On the other hand, the Scandinavian coupled mothers had higher levels of work family conflict than coupled mothers in Southern Europe. Single mothers in Scandinavia, compared to single mothers in Southern Europe, had significantly longer education, higher life satisfaction and positive affect, more enriching jobs, confidant support, practical support, financial support and social participation. Level of job stress was the same for all mother groups. All groups differed significantly from each other in level of financial hardship, with Scandinavian coupled mothers being best off, followed by Scandinavian single mothers, Southern European coupled mothers, and Southern European single mothers. The regional differences suggest that single motherhood per se need not be a risk factor for poorer well-being, and that welfare policies may have a protective effect for the mental well-being of single mothers.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 94%

Work life and mental well-being: single and coupled employed mothers in Southern Europe and Scandinavia

Bull¹

2009

Glob Health Promot

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“…Single mothers have less access to social support compared with mothers with a partner (see Gähler 1998 for Sweden;Crosier et al 2007 for Australia; for contrary findings on the Scandinavian countries see Bull and Mittelmark 2009). In their study of Sweden and the US, Gunnarsson and Cochran (1990) found that single mothers have smaller social networks than mothers in couples and social networks are positively associated with the individual's health (see e.g.…”

mentioning

confidence: 93%

Family Structure and Children’s Living Conditions. A Comparative Study of 24 Countries

Låftman

2009

Child Ind Res

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This study uses large-scale cross-national data from 24 countries to describe the living conditions of children residing with a single mother as compared with children who live with two original parents. Three central areas are studied: children's social support, health, and material resources. The data are derived from the international WHO study Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) of 2001/02. The survey includes nationally representative samples of school pupils of 11, 13, and 15 years of age in countries in Europe and North America and in Israel. After relevant selections, total n=95,335. The general finding is that children in single-mother households have lower social support from parents, poorer health, and smaller material resources than children living with two original parents. The general tendency is rather similar across a large number of countries although more differences are found in some countries and fewer in others. There is no clear pattern regarding how the association with family type varies between countries, for example, according to the share of single-mother households, by welfare state regime, or in relation to single parents' employment rates.

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“…Some research has observed single mothers having higher levels of mental problems than non-single mothers (Whitehead et al, 2000;Fritzell & Burstrom, 2006). A study of single and non-single working mothers in Denmark, Sweden and Norway (Bull & Mittelmark, 2009) shows that financial stress was the most significant predictor of life satisfaction in both groups of working mothers, but also that the level of financial stress is significantly higher for single mothers. Single mothers also scored lower on life satisfaction and happiness.…”

Section: Social Risk Factors For Long-term Sickness Absencementioning

confidence: 99%

The understanding of Norwegian women’s sickness absence: towards a holistic approach?

Solheim¹

2011

NORD J SOC RES

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Work life and mental wellbeing of single and non-single working mothers in Scandinavia

Cited by 42 publications

References 23 publications

Work life and mental well-being: single and coupled employed mothers in Southern Europe and Scandinavia

Work life and mental well-being: single and coupled employed mothers in Southern Europe and Scandinavia

Family Structure and Children’s Living Conditions. A Comparative Study of 24 Countries

The understanding of Norwegian women’s sickness absence: towards a holistic approach?

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