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Open Access 05-04-2024 | Review Article

Returning to work after maternity leave: a systematic literature review

Authors: Isabella Giulia Franzoi, Maria Domenica Sauta, Alessandra De Luca, Antonella Granieri

Published in: Archives of Women's Mental Health

Abstract

Purpose

Working women often experience difficulties associated with balancing family and career, particularly if they choose to have children. This systematic literature review aimed at investigating women’s experience in returning to work after maternity leave.

Methods

The review was conducted using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses. The literature search led to the identification of 52 articles, which underwent data extraction and qualitative analysis.

Results

Results were organized in 5 categories: (1) Work-life balance; (2) Women’s mental and physical health; (3) Job-related wellbeing and working experience; (4) Breastfeeding. Women’s both mental and physical health seem connected to a longer maternity leave and a greater coworkers’ and supervisors’ support. Returning to work seems to constitute one of the most important barriers for exclusive breastfeeding or breastfeeding continuation. A shorter duration of maternity leave, a higher workload and the lack of occupational policies supporting breastfeeding seem to be hindering factors. Partner and family support, and the opportunity for fathers to work under a flextime system after childbirth seem to increase both breastfeeding initiation and duration. Women who continue breastfeeding after returning to work seem to experience more family-to-work conflict and overload.

Conclusions

This paper show that there are still many understudied aspects in exploring women’s experience of returning to work after maternity leave. This represents an important gap in the literature, since returning to work represents a particularly critical time in women’s personal and occupational life, in which challenges and barriers may arise, potentially affecting their experience in the immediate future and years to come.

Available only for authorised users

Data based on the World Bank current Countries classification by income.

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Title: Returning to work after maternity leave: a systematic literature review
Authors: Isabella Giulia Franzoi
Maria Domenica Sauta
Alessandra De Luca
Antonella Granieri
Publication date: 05-04-2024
Publisher: Springer Vienna
Published in: Archives of Women's Mental Health
Print ISSN: 1434-1816
Electronic ISSN: 1435-1102
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00737-024-01464-y

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Returning to work after maternity leave: a systematic literature review

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusions

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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