Research Perspectives on Work and the Transition to Motherhood (eBook)

Christiane Spitzmueller, Russell A. Matthews (Herausgeber)

eBook Download: PDF

2016 | 1st ed. 2016
X, 294 Seiten
Springer International Publishing (Verlag)
978-3-319-41121-7 (ISBN)

Infos

This book examines the intricate challenges faced by women and families during the transition to motherhood. It presents unique theoretical and methodological approaches to studying women's transition from being employees to working mothers. Its focus is on the impact of work on the transition to motherhood, and the impact of motherhood on women's working arrangements, work attitudes, work experiences and perspectives. Special attention is given to intervention research that can enhance the health and well-being of mothers and employers as they reconcile demands of the family-work interface.

Integrating theoretical framework development and methodological considerations, this book provides an in-depth introduction to the topic. It brings together researchers and experts on the work-family interface, on workplace discrimination during pregnancy and early motherhood, and well-being.

Christiane Spitzmüller, Ph.D. is currently an Associate Professor in Psychology at the University of Houston and a visiting scholar at Lagos Business School in Lagos, Nigeria. She completed her undergraduate degree at the University of Koblenz-Landau in Germany. Through a Fulbright scholarship, she then conducted research and completed her Ph.D. in Industrial and Organizational Psychology at Bowling Green State University in the USA.   Her research interests are in three major areas: organizational survey research methodology, the work-family interface and employee health and safety. Through her research, she aims to understand how employees' work experiences shape family health and well-being outcomes. Dr. Spitzmüller's research work has been published in the top journals in Human Resource Management, including Journal of Applied Psychology, Personnel Psychology, and Journal of Organizational Behavior. She currently serves on the editorial boards of Journal of Occupational Health Psychology, and Organizational Research Methods. In addition to conducting research, Dr. Spitzmüller has also consulted with organizations, including ExxonMobil and British Petroleum as well as the World Health Organization.  Dr. Spitzmüller teaches Occupational Health Psychology, Survey Research Methods and Introduction to Statistics as well as MBA courses at the University of Houston and at Lagos Business School.

Dr. Russell A. Matthews is an Assistant Professor of Industrial/Organizational Psychology at Bowling Green State University.  Dr. Matthews earned his Ph.D. in I/O psychology, with graduate certificates in occupational health psychology and quantitative research methods, from the University of Connecticut. His research focuses primarily on the examination of the work-family interface with particular emphasis on the development and application of boundary theory. In tandem, he conducts research on 'non-traditional' populations (e.g., older workers, individuals with excessive family demands). He also conducts a significant amount of research on the broader issues of worker health, safety, and well-being with an interest in specific occupations (i.e., educators, first responders).  He has a keen interest in methodologically based research questions across these lines of research.  To date, Dr. Matthews has published over 45 peer reviewed articles and book chapters, and been involved in over 80 national and international conference presentations. His research has been funded by such agencies as the National Institute for Occupational Safety & Health, the Department of Defense, and the Department of the Interior and published in such journals as the Journal for Applied Psychology, Journal of Organizational Behavior, Work & Stress, Journal of Occupational Health Psychology, and Accident Analysis & Prevention.

Inhalt

Acknowledgements 5
Contents 6
About the Editors 8
1 Work and the Transition to Motherhood: Introduction 10
Abstract 10
Work and the Transition to Parenthood—Background Data 12
Organization of This Volume 12
Reference 17
2 Understanding and Overcoming Challenges Faced by Working Mothers: A Theoretical and Empirical Review 18
Abstract 18
Theoretical and Empirical Evidence of Discrimination 19
Discrimination Faced by Working Mothers 19
Discrimination Faced by Pregnant Women 23
Organizational Strategies 24
Formal Policies 24
Informal Culture 25
Future Research on Organizational Strategies 26
Methodological Issues and Solutions Associated with Organizational Strategies 27
Ally Strategies 28
Prejudice Confrontation 29
Advocacy Behaviors 30
Future Research on Ally Strategies 30
Methodological Issues and Solutions Associated with Ally Strategies 31
Target Strategies 32
Individuation 32
Acknowledgment 33
Combining Strategies 36
Conclusion 36
References 37
3 Identity and the Transition to Motherhood: Navigating Existing, Temporary, and Anticipatory Identities 41
Abstract 41
Literature Review 43
Identity and Identity Transitions 43
Pregnancy and Identity 45
Methodology 46
Findings 47
Temporary Pregnancy Identity 48
Evolving Professional Identity 51
Anticipated Maternal Identity 52
Individual Factors Affecting This Identity Transition Process 54
Discussion 56
Identity Transitions: A More Nuanced Understanding 56
Multiple Identities and Work-Family Research 57
Becoming Pregnant: Expanding the Time Horizon of Work-Family and Identity Research 59
Managerial Implications: Empowering the Pregnant Individual 59
References 61
4 Marissa Mayer: An Analysis of Media Reaction to a Pregnant CEO 64
Abstract 64
Background 65
Media Coverage of High Profile Women 66
Methods 67
Sample 67
Analysis 67
Results 70
Gender and Work-Family Performance 70
Mayer’s Characteristics 75
Reactions to Motherhood and CEO Announcement 75
Other 76
Discussion 77
Future Research 78
Conclusion 80
References 80
5 The Inevitable Stigma for Childbearing-Aged Women in the Workplace: Five Perspectives on the Pregnancy-Work Intersection 85
Abstract 85
Impetus for Considering Women’s Intersection of Pregnancy and the Workplace 86
Background for Data Collection 87
Participants 88
Methodology 89
Results 89
Working Women Who Are not Pregnant and Do not Plan to Have Children (Group 1) 89
Previous Research on Group 1 90
Empirical and Qualitative Insights from Our Data Collection on Group 1 90
Other Findings Regarding Group 1 91
Women Who Are not Pregnant but Plan to Have Children (Group 2) 92
Previous Research on Group 2 92
Empirical and Qualitative Insights from Our Data Collection on Group 2 93
Other Findings Regarding Group 2 94
Working Women Who Are Currently Pregnant with Their First Child (Group 3) 94
Previous Research on Group 3 94
Empirical and Qualitative Insights from Our Data Collection on Group 3 96
Other Findings Regarding Group 3 96
Working Women Currently Pregnant and Who Already Have at Least One Child (Group 4) 97
Empirical and Qualitative Insights from Our Data Collection on Group 4 97
Other Findings Regarding Group 4 98
Working Women Who Have at Least One Child and Do not Plan to Have More (Group 5) 99
Previous Research on Group 5 99
Empirical and Qualitative Insights from Our Data Collection on Group 5 99
Other Findings Regarding Group 5 100
Discussion 101
Theoretical Contributions 101
Practical Implications 104
Limitations 105
Future Research Directions 105
Conclusion 107
References 107
6 Stay at Home or Go Back to Work? Antecedents and Consequences of Mothers’ Return to Work After Childbirth 110
Abstract 110
Antecedents of Mothers’ Return to Work After Childbirth 111
Economic Perspective 111
Sociological Perspective 112
Psychological Models and Approaches 114
Consequences of Mothers’ Return to Work After Childbirth 121
Future Research Avenues 124
Methodological Challenges and Prospects 126
Practical Implications 126
Conclusion 128
References 129
7 Parental Leave and Return to Work 134
Abstract 134
Theoretical Background 136
Parental Leave and Return to Work: A Process 137
Return to Work from Illness or Injury 137
Stages of Parental Leave and Return to Work 138
Pre-leave 138
Away on Leave 139
Parental Leave Policies 139
Use of Parental Leave 141
Potential Moderators 142
Initial Transition Back to Work 142
Breastfeeding/Lactation Needs 144
Sleep Deprivation 145
Post-transition Back to Work 145
Interventions 146
Practical Implications 147
Future Research 148
Summary and Conclusions 149
References 150
8 Global Maternity Benefits and Their Impact on Maternal and Child Well-Being 154
Abstract 154
Variance and Similarity of Policies in Different Countries 156
Global Similarity and Convergence of Policies 159
Global Differences in Benefits/Policies Across Countries 159
The Benefits and Costs of Maternity Leave 160
The Effect of Maternity Policies on Mothers’ Work Choices 163
Maternity Leave 163
Other Maternal Benefits 163
How Different Policies Affect Mothers’ Psychological/Mental Health 164
Child Health Outcomes and Maternity Leave 168
Methodological Barriers and Future Directions 169
General Suggestions for Policy Making and Organization 171
References 171
9 Maternal Employment and Child Health: Conceptual and Empirical Foundations for Work and Family “Weaving Strategies” 175
Abstract 175
Theoretical Foundation 176
“Weaving Strategies:” Conceptual Foundations 178
“Weaving Strategies:” Illustrative Examples 179
Conceptual Linkages Between Weaving Strategies and Child Health 180
Methodological Challenges in Studying Weaving Strategies and Child Health 181
Weaving Strategies: Implications for Children’s Health 182
Study Sample 182
Independent Variables: Behavioral and Psychological Components of Women’s Weaving Strategies 183
Dependent Variables 184
Results 184
Discussion 191
Empirical Results 191
General Discussion 193
Concluding Remarks 196
Acknowledgments 197
References 197
10 Employed Mother Stereotypes and Linkages to Work-Family Conflict and Enrichment 202
Abstract 202
Consequential Stereotypes of Mothers 204
Reduced Performance Capacity 204
Lack of Dedication to Work 205
Prevalence of Employed Mother Stereotypes 206
Differences Between Mothers and Non-mothers 208
Relating Employed Mother Stereotypes to Work-Family Outcomes 209
Perceptions of Managers’ Beliefs 211
Managing Stereotypes of Employed Mothers 213
Future Research Opportunities 214
Demographic Variables 214
Life and Career Stages 216
Stereotype Threat 216
References 217
11 Lactation and the Working Woman: Understanding the Role of Organizational Factors, Lactation Support, and Legal Policy in Promoting Breastfeeding Success 220
Abstract 220
The Lactating Woman and the Organization 222
Manager and Coworker Support for Breastfeeding at Work 223
Issues of Maternity Leave, Work, and Space 224
Work Family Balance and Stress Based Perspectives on Workplace Lactation 225
Interventions to Help Women Overcome Barriers 228
Educating Organizations on the Benefits of Workplace Lactation Programs 229
Workplace Lactation Programs: Breastfeeding Success and Key Components 230
Characteristics of the Workplace Lactation Space 232
The Legal Landscape of Workplace Lactation 232
Federal Laws and Claims 233
State Laws and Breastfeeding at Work 235
Failed Proposed Law and Current Reform Efforts 236
Concluding Remarks and Future Research Directions 237
References 238
12 The Importance and Impact of Child Care on a Woman’s Transition to Motherhood 243
Abstract 243
Role Theory: A Theoretical Framework for Understanding the Importance of Child Care 244
Child Care Options and Prevalence 245
Current Status of Women in the Workplace 247
The Role of Family-Friendly Benefits 249
Research on Child Care 250
An Applied Example: Bright Horizons Family Solutions 253
The Parent-Employee Perspective 254
The Employer Perspective 256
Methodological Challenges Within This Program of Research 258
Recommendations and Future Research 260
Conclusion 262
References 262
13 The Other Half: Views of Fatherhood in the Organization 268
Abstract 268
Theoretical Perspectives Relevant to Fatherhood 269
Fatherhood Through a Gender Lens 270
Identity and Role Transitions 271
Work-Family Integration 272
Views of Fatherhood and Implications for the Transition to Parenthood 274
Fatherhood Transitions in Relation to Organizations 276
Fatherhood Transitions in Relation to the Family 278
Methodological Considerations in Studying the Transition to Fatherhood 279
Practical Implications and Recommendations 280
References 281
14 Future Research Directions on Work and the Transition to Motherhood 287
Abstract 287
Interdisciplinary Approaches 288
Value and Identity Based Theoretical Frameworks 289
Cost and Benefit Calculations 290
Intervention Research 290
Demographic Differences at the Work-Motherhood Interface 292
Cross-Cultural Research at the Work-Motherhood Interface 293
References 293

Produkt-Details

• Erscheint lt. Verlag: 19.8.2016
• Zusatzinfo: X, 294 p. 4 illus.
• Verlagsort: Cham
• Sprache: englisch
• Themenwelt: Medizin / Pharmazie ► Medizinische Fachgebiete ► Psychiatrie / Psychotherapie
• Themenwelt: Sozialwissenschaften ► Politik / Verwaltung
• Themenwelt: Wirtschaft ► Betriebswirtschaft / Management ► Personalwesen
• Schlagworte: employment discrimination • FMLA and Return to Work after FMLA • Maternity leave • Pregnancy Discrimination • Retention of Top Talent • work-family interface
• ISBN-10: 3-319-41121-7 / 3319411217
• ISBN-13: 978-3-319-41121-7 / 9783319411217