Perceived stress in relation to working hours and caring responsibilities: A cross-sectional study during the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

Introduction Stress is associated with adverse physical and mental health outcomes. While work hours have been linked to health and stress outcomes, part-time work may be used to manage work and care responsibilities and thus potentially reduce stress. We examined this relationship in the Netherlands, where part-time work is very common among women, during the COVID-19 pandemic – a period when stress levels were potentially high(er). Methods Data included 1,220 men and women in the Netherlands aged 24 to 64 years from the COGIS-NL study (Wave 2, June 2020) and other modules of the Longitudinal Internet studies for the Social Sciences panel. Kitagawa-Oaxaca-Blinder decomposition analyses were used to analyse gender differences in perceived stress in relation to weekly work hours (<20 hours, short part-time; 20-34 hours, long part-time; 35 hours or more, full-time). Cross-sectional ordinary least squares regression analyses further tested these associations, and any potential mediation by perceived work-life balance, controlling for age, educational level, family situation, and employment situation. Results Gender differences in stress can be attributed to differential effects of part-time employment on men and women’s perceived stress levels. Long part-time work hours were associated with lower stress levels for women, but not for men, and it was only associated with lower stress levels for mothers with co-resident minor children and not for women without. Perceived work-life balance was independently associated with stress but did not mediate the relationship between work hours and stress. Conclusions Higher stress levels among women are likely attributable to differential effects of part-time work on men and women’s stress levels. Working fewer hours (<35) buffered perceived stress for mothers, but not for fathers or individuals without co-resident minor children. Although perceived work-life balance was associated with perceived stress, it did not influence the relationship of work hours with stress.