A Study To Investigate The Influence Of Childcare Arrangements On Parental Stress Levels Among Working Mothers In General Duty And Shift Duty Roles

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Background: The increasing participation of women in the workforce has heightened the challenges working mothers face in balancing professional and parental responsibilities. Childcare arrangements significantly influence the stress levels of these mothers, especially for those working in general and shift duty roles. Understanding the impact of various childcare options is crucial to formulating supportive policies that improve the well-being of working mothers. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 60 working mothers (30 in general duty and 30 in shift duty) with children under 10 years in Dispur community, Guwahati. A non-probability convenient sampling technique was employed. Data were collected using a standardized parental stress scale and analyzed through descriptive statistics, one-way ANOVA, and Chi-square tests. Results: The findings revealed that working mothers who relied on family members for childcare experienced the lowest stress levels (mean score 35.4), while those using part-time nannies experienced the highest stress levels (mean score 74.6). Significant associations were found between parental stress levels and factors such as childcare arrangements, age, number of children, and job satisfaction. Conclusion: The type of childcare arrangements significantly impacts the stress levels of working mothers. Policies aimed at enhancing the availability and reliability of childcare options could alleviate stress and improve the quality of life for working mothers, particularly in shift duty roles.