Report: Mothers’ Return to Work After Childbirth and the Role of Spousal Involvement at Home

A report on the impacts of mothers’ return to work after childbirth on their mental wellbeing

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Several studies document the effects of policies that may assist mothers’ return to the workplace after childbirth. But, little is known about how mothers’ mental health changes after their return, and about the mediating role of spouses’ involvement at home in mothers’ mental health, their careers, and their parenting practices.

This report shares findings from a study about mothers returning to work after childbirth. Using data from the National Longitudinal Survey of Children and Youth (NLSCY), the Canadian Census of Population, and the Longitudinal and International Study of Adults (LISA), the authors examine the degree to which spousal involvement with family and household responsibilities influences the mental wellbeing of mothers returning to work after childbirth.

The results highlight the importance of considering maternal labour supply along with broader measures of maternal, child, and family wellbeing when evaluating policies that support mothers’ return to the workplace.

Simard-Duplain, G., & Molnár, T. L. (2025, February 20). Mothers’ return to work after childbirth and the role of spousal involvement at home. The Vanier Institute of the Family: Ottawa, ON. https://doi.org/10.61959/NLGY5490E