Author:
Houminer-Klepar Nourit,Bord Shiran,Epel Elissa,Lin Jue,Sultan Linoy,Baron-Epel Orna
Abstract
Objective
Transitioning to motherhood can create work family conflicts affecting mothers’ health. Although employment is generally associated with longer telomeres, this may diminish during the early years of child-rearing. This study aimed to assess the impact of work reentry on telomere length (TL) among first-time mothers.
Methods
In this 1-year prospective study, a total of 103 first-time postpartum mothers participated from two medical institutions in Northern Israel; they completed validated questionnaires, reported their current working status, and provided dried blood spots measuring TL.
Results
We found that working status significantly predicted change in TL and was negatively correlated with change in TL over time (β = −0.245; 95% confidence interval, −0.169, −0.018; P = 0.016).
Conclusions
Identifying ideal timing of work reentry is recommended for first-time postpartum mother’s optimal health and TL.
Publisher
Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health)
Subject
Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health
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