title: [An investigation of social support networks for working mothers].
abstract: The purpose of our study was to investigate the social support network for working mothers, including physical, emotional and informational sources, and to discuss strategies to reduce stress caused by their multiple role strain. We asked 18 participants to fill in a questionnaire and conducted semi-constructed interviews. The results of this study showed that more than half of the working mothers want to continue their career because of self growth and the rewards from their job. Many mothers responded that a sympathetic understanding by their husbands, families and people at workplaces is essential to create a balance between their career and housework. As a result, their husbands mainly provide physical support in housekeeping and child caring, whereas their mothers provide physical and emotional support from knowledge based upon their own experience. Almost all working mothers complained of a shortage of nurseries and child caring facilities as well as limited availability of flexible services. In conclusion, the results of our study suggested that the identity of the traditional gender role needs to be changed to a contemporary one, like a husband fully participating in his child's rearing activities by reconsidering his working hours. Moreover, community services to support working mothers should be increased.
authors.affiliation: Fukuoka-shi Higashi-ku Health and Welfare Center, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka 813-0053, Japan.
authors.forename: Etsuko
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Yamada
authors.forename: Hiromi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ariyoshi
authors.forename: Junko
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Horikawa
authors.forename: Itsuko
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Ishihara
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002668:Child Rearing; D002675:Child, Preschool; D019058:Community Networks; D005260:Female; D006796:Household Work; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008875:Middle Aged; D009035:Mothers / Q000523:psychology; D012931:Social Environment; D012944:Social Support; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014931:Women, Working