A new study has conveyed advice that working moms are very active and happy when compared to the moms who prefer to sit at home as home maker in taking care of their kids when they are very young.

Researchers analysed with the interviews of 1,364 mothers shortly after their child’s birth and including subsequent interviews and observations spanning more than 10 years.

Lead author Cheryl Buehler, PhD, professor of human development and family studies, at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro said,“In all cases with significant differences in maternal well-being, such as conflict between work and family or parenting, the comparison favoured part-time work over full-time or not working,”

The study said, mothers employed part time reported better overall health and fewer symptoms of depression than stay-at-home moms, while there were no reported differences in general health or depressive symptoms between moms employed part time and those who worked full time,

The part-time and full-time working moms also showed no significant differences when it came to the women's perception that their employment supported family life, including their ability to be a better parent.

The analysis found that mothers employed part time were just as involved in their child’s school as stay-at-home moms, and more involved than moms who worked full time. In addition, mothers working part time appeared more sensitive with their pre-school children and they provided more learning opportunities for toddlers than stay-at-home moms and moms working full time.

Particularly in tough economic times, employers looking for cost savings hire part-time employees because they typically do not receive the same level of benefits, such as health insurance, training and career advancement, the authors pointed out.

Marion O'Brien,study co-author PhD, professor of human development and family studies, also of the University of North Carolina at Greensboro said, “Since part-time work seems to contribute to the strength and well-being of families, it would be beneficial to employers if they provide fringe benefits, at least proportionally, to part-time employees as well as offer them career ladders through training and promotion,”

In the study mothers who take part in activity they were from 10 locations across the US, with 24% ethnic minorities,and 1% without a high school degree, and 14% as single parents. The number of mothers employed part time was fairly consistent at about 25% of the total over the span of the study, although mothers moved in and out of part-time work. Part-time employment was defined as between one and 32 hours per week.