B3324 - Intensive Mothering and Maternal Physical Health - 03/06/2019

B number: 
B3324
Principal applicant name: 
Sarah Damaske | The Pennsylvania State University
Co-applicants: 
Ms. Jane Lankes
Title of project: 
Intensive Mothering and Maternal Physical Health
Proposal summary: 

Women spend far more time with their children today than in the past several decades, a result of pressure to “intensively mother,” or devote significant time, energy, and resources to raising children. This high cost to parenting creates tensions between investment in children and investment in self. In this study, I will analyze physical health consequences of intensive mothering for mothers. In doing so, this project will advance understandings of women's health, prosperity, and welfare. If certain individuals experience the worst (or best) health consequences of intensive mothering, more nuanced information on this topic will allow for tailored interventions for specific groups of women. This research will enhance both formal health policies and more informal advocacy for maternal self-care.

Impact of research: 
This research has implications for both the literature and policy. This study will clarify past conceptualization of intensive mothering and contribute to general sociological questions on parenting and health. It will also have several practical implications for the improvement of maternal well-being. This study focuses on the United Kingdom in particular because of its increased policy emphasis on intensive parenting as a strategy for child well-being. If intensive mothering has negative consequences for maternal physical health, this may inform how this increased policy emphasis is having unintended negative consequences.
Date proposal received: 
Friday, 31 May, 2019
Date proposal approved: 
Monday, 3 June, 2019
Keywords: 
Social Science, Chronic fatigue, Diabetes, Hypertension, Mental health, Obesity, Pain, Pregnancy - e.g. reproductive health, postnatal depression, birth outcomes, etc., Respiratory - asthma, Statistical methods, BMI, Breast feeding, Mothers - maternal age, menopause, obstetrics, Methods - e.g. cross cohort analysis, data mining, mendelian randomisation, etc., Parenting, Physical - activity, fitness, function, Social science, Statistical methods