Paid Leave and Maternal Depressive Symptoms After Childbirth: The Moderating Role of Perceived Fairness of the Division of Household Labor

Abstract

<jats:p> We examined whether using paid leave is directly linked to employed mothers’ depressive symptoms. In addition, we examined the moderating effect of employed mothers’ perceived fairness of division of household labor (housework and childcare) on the above association. We collected data from 92 employed mothers who were eligible to take paid leave and returned to the workplace after childbirth in Upstate New York State area. Using hierarchical regression analyses, we found that employed mothers’ paid leave use was not significantly associated with their levels of depressive symptoms. However, perceived fairness of division of household labor moderated the above association. Specifically, when employed mothers took paid leave, they reported lower levels of depressive symptoms than those who did not take leave when they perceived that the division of household labor was fair to them. </jats:p>

Association between maternity leave policies and postpartum depression: a systematic review

“…Twenty-three articles were included to explore the association between maternity leave characteristics and postpartum depression. Studies were conducted in the US ( n = 18) (Chatterji and Markowitz 2005 , 2008 ; Clark et al 1997 ; Dagher et al 2014 ; Dundon et al 2021 ; Feldman et al 2004 ; Gjerdingen et al 1991 ; Hwang et al 2021 ; Hyde et al 1995 ; Jou et al 2018 ; Klein et al 1998 ; Kornfeind and Sipsma 2018 ; Mandal 2018 ; Petts 2018 ; Richman et al 1991 ; Shumbusho et al 2020 ; Stack et al 2018 , 2019 ), Canada ( n = 2) (des Rivières-Pigeon et al 2001 ; Baker and Milligan 2008 ), Australia ( n = 1) (Bilgrami et al 2020 ), and Denmark ( n = 1) (Beuchert et al 2016 ), while the other was a multi-country study taking place in eight European countries (Avendano et al 2015 ). Eleven studies used a cross-sectional design (Chatterji and Markowitz 2005 , 2008 ; Dundon et al 2021 ; Feldman et al 2004 ; Hwang et al 2021 ; Kornfeind and Sipsma 2018 ; Mandal 2018 ; Shumbusho et al 2020 ; Stack et al 2018 , 2019 ), eight were longitudinal studies (Clark et al 1997 ; Dagher et al 2014 ; des Rivières-Pigeon et al 2001 ; Gjerdingen et al 1991 ; Hyde et al 1995 ; Jou et al 2018 ; Klein et al 1998 ; Petts 2018 ; Richman et al 1991 ), and four followed a quasi-experimental design (difference-in-difference approach) (Avendano et al 2015 ; Baker and Milligan 2008 ; Beuchert et al 2016 ; Bilgrami et al 2020 ).…”

“…In twelve studies, more than half had education beyond high school (Beuchert et al 2016 ; Bilgrami et al 2020 ; Clark et al 1997 ; des Rivières-Pigeon et al 2001 ; Dundon et al 2021 ; Feldman et al 2004 ; Hwang et al 2021 ; Hyde et al 1995 ; Jou et al 2018 ; Klein et al 1998 ; Kornfeind and Sipsma 2018 ; Mandal 2018 ). Between 64 and 99% of mothers were married or had a partner in fifteen studies (Avendano et al 2015 ; Beuchert et al 2016 ; Bilgrami et al 2020 ; Chatterji and Markowitz 2005 ; Dagher et al 2014 ; des Rivières-Pigeon et al 2001 ; Dundon et al 2021 ; Hyde et al 1995 ; Jou et al 2018 ; Klein et al 1998 ; Kornfeind and Sipsma 2018 ; Mandal 2018 ; Petts 2018 ; Stack et al 2018 , 2019 ), and this characteristic was an inclusion criterion in four (Feldman et al 2004 ; Gjerdingen and Chaloner 1994 ; Clark et al 1997 ; Hwang et al 2021 ), while the other studies did not provide information about this. Between 10 and 51% were first-time mothers (Clark et al 1997 ; Dagher et al 2014 ; des Rivières-Pigeon et al 2001 ; Dundon et al 2021 ; Hyde et al 1995 ; Klein et al 1998 ; Kornfeind and Sipsma 2018 ), and this was an inclusion criterion in two studies (Feldman et al 2004 ; Gjerdingen et al 1991 ).…”

“…Four studies explored the effects of wage replacement on depression (Bilgrami et al 2020 ; Hwang et al 2021 ; Jou et al 2018 ; Mandal 2018 ). Two studies reported women having lower depressive symptoms when receiving paid leave than unpaid leave (Bilgrami et al 2020 ; Mandal 2018 ), while the other two found no significant association.…”

“…The mothers' average age range within the included studies was 26 to 34 years. In twelve studies, more than half had education beyond high school (Beuchert et al 2016;Bilgrami et al 2020;Clark et al 1997;des Rivières-Pigeon et al 2001;Dundon et al 2021;Feldman et al 2004;Hwang et al 2021;Hyde et al 1995;Jou et al 2018;Klein et al 1998;Kornfeind and Sipsma 2018;Mandal 2018). Between 64 and 99% of mothers were married or had a partner in fifteen studies (Avendano et al 2015;Beuchert et al 2016;Bilgrami et al 2020;Chatterji and Markowitz 2005;Dagher et al 2014;des Rivières-Pigeon et al 2001;Dundon et al 2021;Hyde et al 1995;Jou et al 2018;Klein et al 1998;Kornfeind and Sipsma 2018;Mandal 2018;Petts 2018;Stack et al 2018Stack et al , 2019, and this characteristic was an inclusion criterion in four (Feldman et al 2004;Gjerdingen and Chaloner 1994;Clark et al 1997;Hwang et al 2021), while the other studies did not provide information about this.…”