Are Stay at Home Moms More Depressed?

Mothers at Work May Have More Physical and Emotional Health Benefits

Aug 5, 2007 Laurie Pawlik-Kienlen

In The Feminine Mistake, Leslie Bennetts says working mothers are less likely to struggle with depression than stay at home moms. Are moms with jobs or careers healthier?

Working mothers may be less depressed than stay at home moms, says author and career woman Leslie Bennetts. Working moms may also have better physical health, higher self-esteem, and increased emotional health.

For some women, deciding to be a working mom (have a job outside the home) was a tough choice to make. Other women, however, gain a great deal from going back to work – especially moms who work from home. And still other women have to work to pay the bills and support their families.

Leslie Bennetts, author of The Feminine Mistake, shares so many benefits of working mothers that it seems to be a mistake to be a stay at home mom! Bennetts' arguments are convincing – but every woman must weigh her own pros and cons of getting a job outside the home. Factors such as financial situation, children's age, work availability, partner support, work passion and health all play a role in the decision to be working mom or stay-at-home mother.

Not all working women experience the same physical and emotional health benefits, such as less depression and anxiety.

The benefits of being a working mom change depending on profession, interests, and values. For instance, if you're passionate about being and educated as a teacher you may reap more rewards than if you work at the local convenience store, shopping mall, or factory. Moms working from home who can set their hours and choose the type of work they do are in an ideal – and rare – situation.

Working Moms Are More Independent, Happier, and Less Depressed

"As the survey of gifted women indicates, many simply feel that being a homemaker fails to utilize the full range of their capabilities," writes Bennetts. Working moms feel like they're using all their gifts, talents, and abilities in a more useful capacity than stay at home moms. Intellectual stimulation, problem solving, and handling challenges increase feelings of self-esteem and self-confidence.

Working moms have their own financial income, which offers independence, freedom, and security. Moms with careers can make their own decisions about money and purchases; they know how their money is spent. There's a sense of satisfaction in being a working mom, as well as the economic ability to take care of themselves if the marriage or husband's health fails.

Working Moms Are Strong Role Models

Role modeling a successful, happy life as a working mom can benefit both boys and girls. If mom is happy and challenged in her life, she's more likely to encourage a happy and challenging life for her kids.

Working Moms Have Happier Marriages

Reducing the financial pressure on the working partner is a benefit of working moms. Single income families may have a hard time making ends meet; working moms may ease the burden.

Working moms may be more interested and involved in the "outside world", which makes them more interesting to talk to. Living a full, balanced life can lead to a happier marriage because a job or career outside the home can encourage a sense of equality.

Working Moms Are Physically Healthier Than Stay at Home Moms

"Employed women are healthier than their homemaker peers, despite the pressure of added responsibilities. They have lower blood pressure, lower cholesterol levels, and lower weight," writes Dr. Anna Fels in The Feminine Mistake. "Few facts are as well-documented as the good physical and emotional health of women on the job….Psychologically, working women have less depression than their domestic counterparts, and they have, astonishingly, been reported to have less anxiety."

Working Moms Enjoy Increased Social Support

Work can be a strong support network in times of crisis. With the right employer and colleagues, working moms can lean on their coworkers when facing death, illness, or other unexpected challenges. Many friendships start at work and grow stronger over the years.

"In comparison with such benefits, the sacrifices required by the juggling act ultimately seem negligible to many working women," says Bennetts in The Feminine Mistake.

Every woman's situation is different, but many working mothers seem to enjoy more benefits than stay at home moms.

Related Reading

Recognizing the Signs of Depression describes several ways to know if you may be depressed -- whether you're a working or stay at home mom (because working moms get depressed, too).

Working From Home describes ten ways to stay productive and motivated while working at home.

8 Ways to Decrease Caregiver Stress offers tips on reducing stress when taking care of loved ones at home.

The copyright of the article Are Stay at Home Moms More Depressed? in Psychology is owned by Laurie Pawlik-Kienlen. Permission to republish Are Stay at Home Moms More Depressed? in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Moms Working From Home Less Depressed

Comments

Apr 30, 2008 12:40 AM

Hayley Nichols :

This is an interesting article. It got me thinking about why it is that working mothers could be less depressed. The role of mother certainly does involve challenges and problem-solving, but I think the trouble is Western society doesn't value motherhood as a job or vocation in and of itself. In a culture that values independence, money and consumerism above relationships and family, is it any wonder a stay-at-home mother may be more vulnerable to depression? Also, and crucially, any consideration of benefits to mothers has to be balanced with that of the effects on children of daycare - as you say, working from home is ideal, but not possible for most women. There is a large body of research pointing strongly to the fact that daycare for children under three is not advisable in terms of their long-term emotional health. See 'Affluenza' by Oliver James for a good summary of this. I enjoyed reading your article, but just wanted to point out the other side. Thanks!

Feb 16, 2009 12:33 PM

Guest :

I am a working mother, I am in the military as a matter of fact. I wanted to point out that I do not work just to have more money in my pocket. I work because my mother was a SAHM and she was miserable all of the time. She would often get in fits of depression saying she gave up everything for her kids, a good education in college and a managerial position at a factory, just so they could grow up and leave her. I knew then that I would be a working mother. I work because I am intelligent and know I have more to offer the world. I work because I am individual with ideas, creativity, and self-worth outside of my role as a mother. I will not be defined by one simple title whether that is woman or mother. I am more complex than that.

Apr 7, 2009 8:04 AM

Guest :

This is an good idea >>
so; we should look for this points ..
I mean working mother because it is an important thing ..

Apr 9, 2009 2:38 PM

Guest :

"Working moms may be more interested and involved in the "outside world", which makes them more interesting to talk to. Living a full, balanced life can lead to a happier marriage. Working moms bring a sense of equality to the marriage."
Are you kidding me? Seriously? As a SAHM with her master's in clinical psychology and soon to have her Ph.D., I simply can't believe the author didn't recognize how seriously biased and degrading her written words are to stay-at-home mothers! But I guess I shouldn't speak, because obviously my words are likely boring and unworldly. Please excuse the sarcasm, but maybe SAHM's have more depression because their role and work is no longer respected and accepted in our society as reflected in this article. Women are happy when they make choices that fit for them whether that be working outside the home or being a SAHM or some combination. It is a disservice we are doing future generations of young women by trying to tell them what they need to do instead of letting them making the chioce for themselves and then respecting and supporting those choices.

Oct 31, 2009 11:11 AM

Guest :

I'm a SAHM and am indeed depressed. My husband and I chose to have this lifestyle so our daughter could benefit but its not faring so well for me. She's nearly four now and is a happy child but I am empty inside, I have no satisfaction that is directly for me -everything is for her, my husband and the household. I have nothing to show for it otherwise, no paycheck, no recognition. My friends all work and being a SAHM is somewhat antiquated so it puts me in an old-fashioned type of category, where I'm out of touch with the modern world. Its very isolating.

Nov 4, 2009 9:53 AM

Laurie Pawlik-Kienlen :

Hi,

Your comment about depression as a stay at home mom spurred me to write an article called “Depression Help for Stay at Home Moms.”

I can’t post the link here, but if you want to read it, Google “Depression Help for Stay at Home Moms, How to Stop Feeling Depressed Suite101.” It should be near or at the top of the page.

I hope it helps, and that you find ways to overcome your feelings of isolation.

Best wishes,
Laurie

6 Comments