Reciprocal relationships between time pressure and mental or physical health in Australian mothers of preschool aged children

The associations between time pressure and health are typically conceptualised and examined as unidirectional. This study examined the reciprocal relationships between time pressure and mental and physical health amongst working mothers of preschool children; a high-risk group for feeling time pressured. Using 5 waves of a panel study of Australian mothers when their children were aged 0-4 (n = 3878) and cross-lagged structural equation models, we find strong significant negative reciprocal associations between time pressure and mental and physical health, although these reciprocal associations were stronger and more consistent over time for mental health. Our results indicate that physical health takes a couple of years to deteriorate to a point where the reciprocal effects with time pressure become apparent, but for mental health the reciprocal effects are immediate, present at all time points and consistently strong. Findings suggest there are significant reciprocal health consequences of the time pressure experienced by working mothers and government policy encouraging mothers back into the workforce without adequate supports may be harmful for health.