Managing Work and Family Dynamics for Expectant and New Parents

Expectant and new parents navigate a complex interplay between occupational responsibilities and evolving family roles. The transition to parenthood introduces shifts in identity, daily routines and psychological well-being. Managing these dynamics requires concerted efforts at individual, organisational and policy levels. Employers are increasingly recognising the importance of flexible working arrangements, supportive family-leave provisions and inclusive workplace cultures that counteract pregnancy and caregiver discrimination. Concurrently, parents develop personal strategies—ranging from negotiation of job tasks to seeking peer support—to reconcile competing demands. Across diverse cultural and socio-economic contexts, research emphasises the role of identity transitions, whereby returning mothers and fathers reconstruct professional and parental selves. Mental health emerges as a critical concern during the perinatal period, with stressors such as role overload and inadequate workplace support exacerbating anxiety and depression. Global initiatives that integrate human-resource practices, legislative frameworks and community networks demonstrate the potential to foster healthier work–family interfaces, enhance parental well-being and reduce attrition from the workforce.

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Managing Work and Family Dynamics for Expectant and New Parents publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in managing work and family dynamics for expectant and new parents across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Work–family conflict: A form of inter-role tension arising when demands from work and family domains are mutually incompatible.

Maternity leave: A period of job-protected absence granted to a parent around the time of childbirth or adoption.

Identity work: The process through which individuals construct, maintain and adapt their self-concept in response to life transitions and role changes.

Perinatal mental health: The psychological well-being of individuals during pregnancy and the first year postpartum, encompassing risks of mood and anxiety disorders.

References

1. Work–family interference in urban China: gender discrimination and the effects of work–family balance policies. npj Urban Sustainability (2024).
2. Maternal (perinatal) mental health and employment: An agenda for research and practice. Human Resource Management Journal (2022).
3. Work re‐entry following maternity leave for first‐time mothers: An events, social identity and intersectional theories informed identity work framework. Gender Work and Organization (2024).