Relationship between Intensive Mothering, Social Comparison Orientation, and Psychological Well-Being among Working Mothers

Abstract

The review sought to explore the relationship between Intensive Mothering, Social Comparison Orientation, and psychological well-being among working mothers. For directing the review, a purposive examining method was utilized. Sample of 238 working moms (n = 115 old moms; n = 123 new moms), going from 23 to 50 years, partaken in this research from different areas of Islamabad and Rawalpindi. Parenting Sense of Competence Scale (PSCS; Gibaud-Wallston & Wandersman, 1978), Iowa-Netherlands Comparison Orientation Measure (INCOM; Gibbons & Buunk, 1999), and Psychological Well-being Scale (PWS; Ryff & Keyes, 1995) were utilized for the evaluation of intensive mothering, social comparison orientation, and psychological well-being separately. The result of the present study indicated a significant negative relation between intensive mothering and psychological well-being, and between social comparison orientation and psychological well-being. Intensive mothering and social comparison orientation significantly and positively predicted psychological well-being. The current study reveals that social comparison is a strong mediator in relation between intensive mothering and psychological well-being. Concerning demographic factors, new moms were found to score higher on social comparison orientation, intensive mothering and psychological well-being than old moms. Age of mothers was also found to be significantly associated with intensive mothering, social comparison, and psychological well-being. The findings of the present study suggest that the effects of engaging in social comparisons is significant in mother’s populations, most mothers may be unaware that this behavior may be associated with negative outcomes so parents might benefit from being aware of the potential negative consequences this behavior can have on their perceived parental competence and mental health.