When I first heard the headline that working mothers suffered less depression than stay-at-home moms I wasn’t sure what to think. Some camps argue that being a stay-at-home mom can be isolating, whereas others say working long hours can be stressful.

When I looked up the study however and saw the main finding was that the happiest moms are those who work part-time, that made sense to me. The study by the American Psychological Association examined extensive data from a 10-year period about more than 1,300 mothers.

Some bloggers raise the legitimate point that this study focused on data from 1991 to 2001, and with technology changes, and work expectations of access to e-mail and cell phones, moms may feel tugged in more directions than ever.

According to the study, full-time working mothers were equally well-off on several important levels. Part-time and full-time workers reported better overall health and fewer symptoms of depression than those who stayed at home.

As someone who has worked part time from home for about the past six years, I think it is good to stay engaged in the working world, and I am hoping it will ease my transition back into full-time work soon. However, the best case scenario is being able to work in a field you are interested in.

Another option for staying involved is volunteering your time in the community.

The researchers found that mothers employed part time were just as involved in their child’s school as stay-at-home moms, and more involved than moms who worked full time. In addition, mothers working part time appeared more sensitive with their pre-school children and they provided more learning opportunities for toddlers than stay-at-home moms and moms working full time.

Mothers who participated in the study were from 10 locations across the U.S., and included 24 percent ethnic minorities, 1 percent without a high school degree, and 14 percent single parents. The number of mothers employed part time was fairly consistent at about 25 percent of the total over the span of the study, although mothers moved in and out of part-time work. Part-time employment was defined as between one and 32 hours per week.

I think a lot also depends on whether you have a supportive partner and affordable childcare. One of the reasons I have delayed going back to work full-time is because of the expense of childcare.

Some responders to blogs on the topic mentioned they are the primary breadwinner, with the higher salary and better health insurance, and some of their spouses work part-time. I think if a partner is supportive and helping out at home, no matter the gender, then there will be less depression and stress overall in the home.

What I find most depressing is the snarkiness of the online comments and the “Mommy Wars” that develop over these topics. I think some women are happier staying home, and others are happier putting in more hours at work. If we can all work to support each other whatever we choose, then
everyone will be happier and more fulfilled.