Experiences and Consequences of Working Mothers in Healthcare Settings: A Qualitative Content Analysis
This 2025 qualitative study of Iranian healthcare workers reveals that employment among mothers generates a complex duality of consequences, simultaneously creating challenges like role conflict and family strain while offering benefits such as economic stability, improved health literacy, and social support, thereby underscoring the need for gender-sensitive workplace policies.
Original paper licensed under CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). This is an AI-generated explanation of the paper below. It is not written or endorsed by the authors. For technical accuracy, refer to the original paper. Read full disclaimer
The family unit is often described as the bedrock of society, a place where individuals learn to connect, find emotional safety, and develop into stable adults. When this foundation is strong, communities tend to flourish; when it is strained, the effects can ripple outward into broader social and health issues. At the heart of this dynamic are mothers, who traditionally serve as the primary caregivers and the emotional glue holding families together. For decades, a central question has shaped how we view women's lives: does entering the workforce strengthen a woman and her family, or does the pressure of juggling a career and a home create a fracture that neither can fully repair? This question becomes especially urgent in high-stakes environments like hospitals, where the demands of the job are relentless, involving long shifts, night work, and the emotional weight of caring for the sick and dying. To understand this complex reality, researchers must look beyond simple statistics and listen to the actual stories of the women living it.
In a study conducted in 2025 within hospitals in Qazvin, Iran, a team of researchers set out to explore the lived experiences of thirty mothers working in healthcare. They did not rely on surveys or numbers alone but instead sat down for in-depth, face-to-face conversations with nurses, midwives, doctors, and technicians. These women, all of whom had at least one child and years of experience in their fields, shared the raw details of their daily lives. The researchers used a method called conventional content analysis, which involves listening carefully to these stories, identifying recurring themes, and organizing them into a clear picture of what is happening. The goal was to understand not just the stress these women feel, but the full spectrum of how their jobs shape their families and their own well-being.
The conversations revealed a landscape defined by a sharp tension between two opposing forces. On one side, the demands of the hospital created a series of heavy burdens that eroded the women's personal lives. Many described a profound sense of social deprivation, where the rotating shifts and long hours meant they simply could not attend family gatherings, visit friends, or enjoy leisure time. One participant noted that her work schedule was set a month in advance, making it impossible to accept invitations or plan family outings, effectively cutting her off from the social fabric that sustains her. This isolation was not just about missing parties; it was a loss of the emotional support that comes from being part of a community.
The strain extended deep into the home, where the women reported a deterioration in family stability. Exhaustion from long shifts often left them with no energy for household chores or even for themselves, leading to a state of self-neglect. The constant juggling act created friction in their marriages, with some husbands expressing dissatisfaction over the lack of time and emotional presence. Children, too, felt the impact. Mothers spoke with guilt about not being available for their kids, and some observed behavioral changes, such as a child sucking their thumb due to stress, or developmental concerns where a child seemed to be trying to fill a void left by the mother's absence. In some cases, the inconsistency of care—when children were passed between different relatives or daycares because the mother was working—led to confusion and conflicting parenting styles. The women also felt a distinct lack of support from their employers, perceiving that the hospital viewed them merely as workers who should be available at all times, without regard for their roles as mothers.
Yet, the story the researchers uncovered was not one of pure struggle. Alongside the difficulties, the women described powerful positive consequences that made their employment essential. For many, working in healthcare provided a unique form of health literacy; their professional knowledge allowed them to better care for their own families, spotting minor illnesses early and knowing how to handle health crises. Beyond physical health, the job offered a boost to their mental well-being. Stepping into the workplace gave them a sense of purpose, reduced feelings of depression, and made them feel less isolated. They reported feeling respected in their communities and more independent, which strengthened their sense of self.
Financial independence emerged as another critical pillar of this positive experience. The women explained that having their own income reduced the financial pressure on their households and gave them greater autonomy in decision-making. It allowed them to contribute to the family's welfare in a tangible way, changing the dynamic of their relationships with their spouses. Perhaps most importantly, the study highlighted the vital role of social support. While the system often felt lacking, the women found strength in the help they received from their own families—mothers and mothers-in-law who stepped in to care for the children—and from understanding colleagues who covered shifts when needed. This network of support acted as a buffer, allowing them to manage the dual demands of their lives.
The researchers concluded that the experience of working mothers in healthcare is not a simple choice between good and bad, but a complex mix of both. The job creates significant role conflict, where the expectations of being a worker clash with the expectations of being a mother, leading to stress and family strain. However, the same job also provides resources—financial, social, and psychological—that can enrich the family and the individual. The study suggests that without specific policies to support these women, such as flexible scheduling and better childcare options, the negative effects could grow stronger over time. But with the right support, the benefits of their employment can help them balance these competing roles, turning a source of conflict into a source of strength for their families and their communities.
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