The Effects of Shared Parenting on Working Mothers’ Parental Role Satisfaction: The Mediating Effect of Parenting Efficacy
摘要
In recent years, the role and effectiveness of shared parenting has come under scrutiny as the idea that parenting is a joint responsibility of both parents has become more common. Expanding the role of men in the family is being discussed as a solution to reduce the burden on women, achieve a balance between work and family, and ultimately address low birth rates. Many parents today experience the stress of new roles, tasks, and changes in circumstances as they experience childbirth and parenting. Marital satisfaction declines during the child-rearing years, as couples are asked to redirect resources and shift roles to the new role of “parent,” which can lead to lower marital satisfaction. In addition, child care is a major concern and source of stress for parents, with working women with young children reporting higher levels of stress and depression than working women without children. Mothers’ parenting stress decreases and positive parenting behaviors increase when fathers are more actively involved in their children’s upbringing. This study aims to identify the structural relationships among sharing parenting, parenting efficacy, and parental role satisfaction among working mothers with young children. This study will expand the scope of research on work-family balance of working mothers and provide basic data for desirable parenting behaviors for children. Furthermore, it is expected to help establish policies to harmonize work and family life and prevent career-interrupted women.