The link between non-standard work schedules and parental distress is moderated by coparenting quality in families tranisitoning to parenthood at 6 months
Restricted (Penn State Only)
Author:
Feng, Ruiqi
Graduate Program:
Human Development and Family Studies
Degree:
Master of Science
Document Type:
Master Thesis
Date of Defense:
February 02, 2024
Committee Members:
Douglas Michael Teti, Thesis Advisor/Co-Advisor Samantha Lauren Tornello, Committee Member Heidemarie Laurent, Professor in Charge/Director of Graduate Studies
Keywords:
Non-standard work coparenting parental well-being transition to parenthood
Abstract:
Existing research shows robust negative effects of nonstandard work schedules on employees’ health related outcomes, and such impact on well-being may be particularly strong among parents transitioning to parenthood, a time when family stress is high as parents adjust to become coparents and caregivers. To date, very little work has been done examining these linkages among parents transitioning to parenthood. The current study examines if good coparenting relationship serves a protective role against mental health problems for nonstandard shift workers, and if nonstandard work schedules are associated with higher parental distress. Parental reports of coparenting quality and distress level (depressive symptoms, anxious symptoms, and hostile symptoms) were assessed in 151 mothers and 174 fathers at 6 months postpartum. The mean numbers of nonstandard work schedules were assessed at 1, 3, and 6 months. Results from multiple regression and moderation analyses revealed that coparenting quality moderated the link between nonstandard work and maternal distress. Mothers working more nonstandard schedules had higher distress, and higher coparenting quality was associated with lower distress. However, for fathers, all the linkages did not hold up except for that higher coparenting quality was associated with lower paternal distress. Results highlighted that higher coparenting quality serves as a protector of the impact of nonstandard work schedules on maternal distress for first time mothers, and mothers were more impacted by nonstandard work schedules than fathers.