Returning to Work After Childbirth and Women's Mental Health: The Place of Work-Family Conflict and of Social Supports in a Population of Working Mothers in Paris Area

J Occup Environ Med. 2025 Jan 1;67(1):58-72. doi: 10.1097/JOM.0000000000003260.

Abstract

Objective: Analyzing in a cross-sectional study the factors associated with mental health in 1511 recently delivered women returning to work, the mediating role of work-family interface, and the moderating role of social supports.

Methods: Data were collected at 3 months after returning to work to assess work characteristics (Copenhagen Psychosocial Questionnaire), work-family conflict (Survey Work-Home Interaction Nijmegen), anxiodepressive symptoms (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale), commuting, childcare, household demands, and social supports.

Results: Anxiety and, to a lesser extent, depressive symptoms were associated with work factors, the opposite for the nonwork demands. The mediation by work-family conflict and the moderation of social supports were present especially for anxiety symptoms. Taking into account the parental constraints by the hierarchy, family/friends' support and paid personnel reduced anxiodepressive symptoms.

Conclusions: Promoting mental health at returning to work of new mothers needs the assessment of total workload and resources.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Anxiety* / epidemiology
  • Anxiety* / psychology
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Depression / epidemiology
  • Depression / psychology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Mental Health*
  • Mothers* / psychology
  • Paris
  • Return to Work* / psychology
  • Return to Work* / statistics & numerical data
  • Social Support*
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Women, Working* / psychology
  • Women, Working* / statistics & numerical data
  • Work-Life Balance
  • Workload / psychology
  • Young Adult