MOTHERS EXPERIENCE WITH HOUSEHOLD ROLES AND SOCIAL SUPPORT DURING THE1ST POSTPARTUM YEAR

This prospective, longitudinal study was conducted to investigate the changes in the division of household labor, and in the emotional and p ractical support received by new mothers during the first postpartum y ear. Questionnaires were completed by 436 married, recently employed m others at 1, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months after they had delivered their fir st child. Results showed that women assumed primary responsibility for the majority of household tasks studied, and that they perceived decl ines over time in their husbands' participation in household chores, t heir husbands' and others' expressions of caring, and in the frequency with which friends and relatives ''helped out'' during the year. Wome n who had had cesarean sections (versus those with vaginal deliveries) and who returned to work (versus those who stayed home) believed thei r husbands participated more in traditionally feminine household chore s. Women's satisfaction with their husbands' contribution to household activities was significantly related to their own mental health, deli very type (cesarean section), job status (being at home vs. back at wo rk), and family income; and to their husbands' occupation, expressions of caring, and participation in child care and certain household chor es (house cleaning, grocery shopping, cooking, washing clothes and dis hes, household repairs, car maintenance, and garbage removal). Overall , these findings showed diminishing levels of emotional and practical support for women at a time when the need for support was likely great er, following the birth of their first child.