2017 Volume 29 Issue 2 Pages 45-52
The hypothesis that parents with infants maintain or improve their well-being by modifying the allocation of five self-roles (parental, professional, spousal, regional, and individual) through childcare-related emotions was investigated. Participants were parents of infants (N=859), who responded to a web-based questionnaire survey. Results indicated differences between fathers and mothers, as well as between single- and dual-career families. Modifications in role allocation resulting from childcare-related emotions influenced parental well-being: parenting satisfaction improved parental role allocation in all three groups, except in dual-career fathers; parenting stress and satisfaction were associated with professional role allocation in dual-career mothers; and high parenting satisfaction and stress were positively associated with spousal role allocation in single-career fathers. The hypothesis of this study was supported in three groups, excluding dual-career fathers. The reasons for this exception are discussed. Findings also suggested that fathers' active involvement in child rearing enhanced the well-being of parents with infants.
