Affiliation:
1. Department of Occupational Therapy, Federal University of São Carlos (UFSCar), São Carlos, Brazil
2. Department of Occupational Therapy, Boston University Sargent College of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Boston, MA, USA
3. School of Health, Leeds Beckett University, Leeds, UK
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Working part-time or full-time is a persistent dilemma for women, especially mothers, as they strive to manage their time across various roles. However, the existing literature remains unclear on whether part-time work contributes more to life satisfaction than full-time work. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to describe and compare time-use patterns in different occupational roles and levels of life satisfaction among 795 mothers in Brazil who are employed either part-time or full-time. METHODS: Data was collected through an online survey and the snowball technique. Regression and correlation analyses were performed on the data obtained from the following instruments: the Role Checklist for assessing time-use within occupational roles, the Satisfaction with Life Scale, and demographic information. RESULTS: Our analysis revealed no significant differences in life satisfaction between mothers working full-time and those working part-time (t (793)=1.160, p = 0.24). However, life satisfaction scores were positively correlated with the number of occupational roles performed (r = 0.222, p < 0.01), higher family income (P < 0.001), and engagement in social roles such as Friend (r = 0.106, p = 0.003), Hobbyist/Amateur (r = 0.08, p = 0.018), and Caregiver (r = 0.07, p = 0.026). CONCLUSION: While our society places significant emphasis on time spent at work, our findings highlight that life satisfaction extends far beyond the dichotomy of working part-time or full-time. There are deeper dimensions to consider, including the number of occupational roles, family income, and engagement in social roles, which have a more substantial impact on overall life satisfaction.
Subject
Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health,Rehabilitation