In a random sample of 98 full-time and reduced-hours female doctors in dual-earner couples with at least one child younger than 14, the authors ask whether objective work hours or perceived job demands better predict psychological distress and whether work hours or parent-role quality moderate the relationship between perceived job demands and psychological distress. Neither work hours nor perceived job demands predicted psychological distress, but another subjective indicator, schedule fit, did. Support was also found for family-related interaction effects; that is, good relationships with children buffered mothers from the negative effects that perceived job demands might otherwise have on psychological distress.
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