Abstract
Research suggests that the perception of being pressed for time is increasing in many Western societies and that such perceptions are linked with social and mental well-being. The aim of this study was to clarify the family and work-related characteristics associated with perceived time pressure in a sample of Canadian working mothers and fathers. A telephone survey of 1160 employed parents (674 women and 486 men) conducted in a mid-size Canadian city in 2005 provided the data for this study. Results of the multiple linear regression analyses showed that both role occupancy and role quality was related to perceived time pressure and that the nature of these relationships depended on gender. For mothers, the following factors were associated with increased time pressure: occupancy of an unpaid caregiving role, parenting a child with at least one health/behavioral problem, and the perception of parenting as draining or anxiety provoking. Regarding the paid work environment, women who were categorized as high strain (i.e., high demands/low control) or active (high demands/high control) also reported higher levels of time pressure. For fathers, greater perceived time pressure was associated with: occupancy of the partner role, the perception of parenting as draining, being a multiple job holder and having a high strain (i.e., high demands/low control) or active (high demands/high control) psychosocial work environment. Limitations of the study are discussed as are the policy implications of the findings.
Highlights
There has been an increasing interest in Canada over the last several decades, both in the academic literature and in the popular press, of issues related to Canadians’ quality of life, the balance Canadian workers are able to achieve between paid work and family/community life (Brooker & Hyman, 2010; Hebert & Grey, 2006)
No statistically significant gender differences emerged with respect to age, income adequacy, partner status or taking on additional caregiving responsibilities
No gender differences emerged with respect to number of children, the presence of a young child in the household, having a child with at least one health/behavioral problem, satisfaction with family-related supports and services, or extent of agreement to statements that “parenting makes me feel drained or exhausted” or “parenting makes me feel tense and anxious”
Summary
There has been an increasing interest in Canada over the last several decades, both in the academic literature and in the popular press, of issues related to Canadians’ quality of life, the balance Canadian workers are able (or unable) to achieve between paid work and family/community life (Brooker & Hyman, 2010; Hebert & Grey, 2006). An important component of work-life balance is the amount of time people perceive as having available to meet their role-related obligations—as parents, paid workers, partners and caregivers, among others. In Canada, for example, 16.4% of the population reported high levels of time pressure in 1992, compared with 19.7% in 2005 (Brooker & Hyman, 2010). What might account for the increase in perceived time pressure? On the other hand, have focused on the amplification of consumerism in Western society which drives time intensive activities with “high octane” lifestyles
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