Daily Lunch Break Profiles and Work-Related Outcomes for Working Mothers

Abstract

Working mothers face tremendous pressures at home and at work, yet research has not examined how daily factors may affect resource generation that can enhance work outcomes for this segment of the population. We examine how working mothers use their lunch breaks, the longest within-workday break, and the impact of these choices on generating resources and enhancing productivity at work. Using a person-centered approach, we conduct an experience sampling study of 168 fulltime working mothers to observe how various combinations of lunch break activities generate post-lunch self-efficacy and subsequent end-of-workday work engagement and performance gains. Four distinct profiles of lunch break activities are identified: typical, socializing, multitasking, and working lunches. Each profile has unique within-person proximal and distal outcomes. Further, at the person level, self-efficacy impacts working mothers’ career outcomes in terms of reward recommendations, with career commitment strengthening this effect. This research provides a foundation for understanding the impact of working mothers’ within-workday lunch break activity choices and underscores the importance of using lunch breaks wisely.