The effects of workplace psychosocial factors on whether Japanese dual-earner couples with preschool children have additional children: a prospective study

Ind Health. 2016 Dec 7;54(6):498-504. doi: 10.2486/indhealth.2016-0080. Epub 2016 Oct 18.

Abstract

This study explored the effect of workplace psychosocial factors (job demand, job control, and workplace social support) on dual-earner couples in Japan having additional children, using a prospective study design. We conducted a 2-year prospective cohort study with 103 dual-earner couples with preschool children in Japan, as part of the Tokyo Work-Family Interface Study II. We used multivariable logistic regression analyses to evaluate the prospective association of job strain (categorized into low-strain job, active job, passive job, and strain job groups) and workplace social support (high and low) with couples having additional children during the follow-up period, adjusting for age, for men and women separately. Men in the active job group (i.e., with high job demands and high job control) had a significantly higher odds ratio (OR) of having additional children during the follow-up period, after controlling for age (OR 9.07, 95% confidence interval: 1.27-64.85). No significant association between any workplace psychosocial factor and having additional children was confirmed among women. Having an active job may have a positive influence on having additional children among men in dual-earner couples.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Child, Preschool
  • Family Characteristics*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Japan
  • Logistic Models
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Prospective Studies
  • Sex Factors
  • Social Support*
  • Socioeconomic Factors
  • Stress, Psychological / psychology*
  • Workplace / psychology*