Does Mindfulness Practice Affect the Quality of Life of Working Mothers? An Empirical Test Using SEM Analysis

Abstract

Purpose: Working mothers are leading several industries, and they strive to balance work and family. Mothers at work face their biggest challenges and live with constant guilt when they leave their children. Due to this stressful lifestyle, working mothers struggle to regulate their emotional health and may exhaust themselves, breakdown, or burnout. They can manage this chaos with mindfulness. Working mothers need mindfulness to stay sane. Mindfulness protects against stress, depression, anxiety and other mental health issues and improves human functioning and quality of life as well.   Theoretical framework: Working mothers need mindfulness to stay sane. Mindfulness protects against stress, depression, anxiety and other mental health issues and improves human functioning and quality of life as well. Thus, by analyzing the significance of mindfulness among working mothers, this study was proposed to examine the relationship between mindfulness practice (MP) and the quality of life (QOL) of working mothers.   Design/methodology/approach:  Data was collected from the sample size of 217 respondents who were working mothers in different sectors. Mindfulness and QOL are measured using standardized questionnaires like the Cognitive Affective Mindfulness Scale (CAMS-R) and the World Health Organization’s Quality of Life (WHOQOL) scale, respectively. Following data collection, structural equation modelling (SEM) analysis was employed using the partial least squares method.    Findings: The findings reveal that there is a significant positive impact of Mindfulness practice on the Quality of work life of working mothers.   Research, Practical & Social implications:  The research results indicate that working mothers need to practice mindfulness in their routine lives to excel in parenting and to combat challenges in balancing work and life thus improving their QOL.   Originality/value: There is meagre research conducted on mindfulness, thus this current study extends its originality on researching on impact of mindfulness practice on quality of life.