Work-Family Fit and Depression Among Working Mothers

Background and purpose: This study aims to explore how working mother's cognitive assessments of work and family resources cluster together in patterned ways and the effect of work-family fit on mental health. The work-family fit approach address the complex interactions between work and family and is better to understand the diverse complexities of family and work context among low-income family. And person-centered approach, which show the distinct configurations of heterogeneity withing a sample, support assessment of complex patterns among them. Methods: The study process and method are composed of two parts. Firstly, Latent Class Analysis(LPA) was used to determine the underlying types of work-family fit, based on 7 dimensions, including job security, income adequacy, work control, family-friendly workplace culture, childcare control, emotional family support, and instrumental family support. Secondly, ANCOVA was used to examine the difference of depressive symptoms by work-family fit types. Questionnaires were administered to 12 preschools in Seoul and Kyunggi areas, and the data was collected from 376 working mothers of preschoolers. Results: Using LPA on the working mothers of preschoolers, five distinct multivariate profiles of work-family fit were identified: poor fit, low fit, moderate fit, good fit, and optimal fit.First, about 7.2% of the working mothers constituted a "poor fit" profile, for lack of both work resources for basic family life. That is, this group of working mothers had a statistically low level of job security and income adequacy, as well as a low level of childcare control and emotional/instrumental family support. They were mostly employed in part-time, nonstandard and low income jobs. In addition, ANCOVA results showed that they were at risk of depression, indicating that their average score of CES-D was 31. Second, the normative profile, that is, the group with the largest percentage of respondents (45.2%) constituted a "low fit" profile. This group of working mothers suffered from low income adequacy and work and family supports for balancing work and childcare. They mostly belonged to the low or middle class. They were at risk of depression, showing that their average score of CES-D was 20. Third, about 13.8% of the working mothers constituted a "moderate fit" profile, with low job security, and high work resources for balancing work and childcare. They were mostly employed in part-time, nonstandard jobs. Fourth, about 16.0% of the respondents were labeled "good fit", with abundant work resources for basic family life and family support but lack of work and family control. Fifth, 17.8% of respondents composed the "optimal fit" profile with high work and family resources. Most of them worked at fulltime and daytime job, and they belonged to middle class. Conclusions and Implications: Based on the research findings, this study suggests practical implications for working mothers, including flexible work programs, family-supportive culture, childcare service in the community, husbands' participation in childrearing and domestic duties, and programs for the prevention and management of depression.