Understanding the dimensions of mental labor: the invisible load of Italian mothers.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Mental labor-encompassing the planning, anticipating, and emotional monitoring required to manage family life-represents an invisible yet unequally distributed component of unpaid domestic work. Despite growing attention, little is known about how mental labor operates within families and which factors shape its distribution, particularly in the Italian context.

Methods

The study draws on survey data from 2,309 Italian mothers of one child and employs a multidimensional scale capturing cognitive, managerial, and emotional dimensions of mental labor. We analyze both the total amount of mental labor reported by mothers (individual sphere) and the perceived gap between their own and their partner's contribution (relational sphere). Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) regr

SUBMITTER: Vettoretto E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12893982 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature