Work, Family, and Individual Factors Associated with Mothers Attaining Their Preferred Work Situations

Abstract

This study explores work, family, and individual factors associated with mothers attaining their preferred work situations, including full‐time, part‐time, work from home, and no paid work. Data are taken from a sub‐sample of 1,777 mothers from a nationally representative sample contacted by random‐digit dialing phone interviews by the University of Connecticut Center for Survey Research and Analysis and the Motherhood Study. Actual work situation, household income, spouse or partner's work situation, perception of family financial responsibility, race, and religion are associated with attaining preferred work situations using logistic regression, ANOVA, and chi‐square analyses. Thirty‐six percent of mothers who are in their preferred work situations have experienced fewer negative emotions and more positive emotions, suggesting implications for individual and family well‐being and work—family policies.