Full-time mums suffer stress

The Prospect professionals’ union has highlighted new research showing that chronic stress levels are up to 40% higher for full-time working mums. 


Researchers at the University of Manchester and University of Essex analysed data on more than 6,000 participants in the UK Household Longitudinal Survey. The survey collects information on working life and readings of measures of stress response. 


They found the overall level of 11 biomarkers for chronic stress, including stress-related hormones and blood pressure, was 40% higher in women bringing up two children while working full-time. Women working full time and bringing up one child had an 18% higher level.


Working from home and flexitime has no effect on their level of chronic stress, the researchers concluded, but reducing the number of hours they work does help. Women with two children who worked reduced hours through part-time work, job share and term-time flexible working arrangements had chronic stress levels 37% lower than those working in jobs where flexible work was not available. 


Men’s chronic stress markers were also lower if they worked reduced hours, and the effect was about the same as for women.

https://www.manchester.ac.uk/discover/news/working-mothers-up-to-40-more-stressed