, PLEASE USE THIS DOCUMENT AS A GUIDE ONLY
THE LIVED EXPERIENCES OF WORK-RELATED STRESS AMONG
REMOTE-WORKING MOTHERS IN SOUTH AFRICA: A QUALITATIVE EXPLORATORY
STUDY
Abstract
This research proposal aims to explore the lived experiences of work-related stress among
remote-working mothers in South Africa. The research issue is the psychological impact of
balancing professional responsibilities and caregiving roles while working from home. The study
adopts an interpretivist paradigm and a qualitative, exploratory research design. Data will be
collected through semi-structured interviews with a purposive sample of 10 remote-working mothers
with at least one child under the age of 12. Thematic analysis will be used to identify recurring
themes. Ethical principles including informed consent, confidentiality, and voluntary participation
will be strictly observed. This study does not involve actual data collection; it is a proposal only.
Keywords
Work-related stress,
remote work,
working mothers,
lived experiences,
qualitative research,
interpretivism,
South Africa
1. Background of the research interest
The shift to remote work, accelerated by global health crises, has created new psychological
challenges for employees, particularly mothers. In South Africa, many working mothers were
required to work from home while simultaneously managing childcare, home schooling, and
domestic responsibilities (Van der Merwe & Fouche, 2021). Research indicates that women continue
to bear a disproportionate burden of unpaid care work, even when engaged in full-time employment
(Smith & Nkosi, 2020). This dual role often leads to increased stress, role conflict, and emotional
exhaustion.
Work-related stress is defined as a harmful physical and emotional response that occurs when job
demands do not match the worker’s resources or capabilities (Fouche, Strydom & Roestenburg,
2021). In the context of remote work, boundaries between professional and personal life become
blurred, leading to extended working hours and reduced recovery time (Lazarus, 2016). Although
quantitative studies have measured stress levels among remote workers, there is limited qualitative
research exploring the lived experiences of remote-working mothers in the South African context.
The key psychological constructs in this study are work-related stress, role conflict, and lived
experience. Work-related stress refers to the psychological and physiological strain resulting from
work demands (Fouche et al., 2021). Role conflict arises when incompatible expectations exist
between work and family roles (Kahn, 2017). Lived experience refers to the subjective, first-hand
accounts of how individuals perceive and make meaning of their daily realities (Creswell, 2018).
THE LIVED EXPERIENCES OF WORK-RELATED STRESS AMONG
REMOTE-WORKING MOTHERS IN SOUTH AFRICA: A QUALITATIVE EXPLORATORY
STUDY
Abstract
This research proposal aims to explore the lived experiences of work-related stress among
remote-working mothers in South Africa. The research issue is the psychological impact of
balancing professional responsibilities and caregiving roles while working from home. The study
adopts an interpretivist paradigm and a qualitative, exploratory research design. Data will be
collected through semi-structured interviews with a purposive sample of 10 remote-working mothers
with at least one child under the age of 12. Thematic analysis will be used to identify recurring
themes. Ethical principles including informed consent, confidentiality, and voluntary participation
will be strictly observed. This study does not involve actual data collection; it is a proposal only.
Keywords
Work-related stress,
remote work,
working mothers,
lived experiences,
qualitative research,
interpretivism,
South Africa
1. Background of the research interest
The shift to remote work, accelerated by global health crises, has created new psychological
challenges for employees, particularly mothers. In South Africa, many working mothers were
required to work from home while simultaneously managing childcare, home schooling, and
domestic responsibilities (Van der Merwe & Fouche, 2021). Research indicates that women continue
to bear a disproportionate burden of unpaid care work, even when engaged in full-time employment
(Smith & Nkosi, 2020). This dual role often leads to increased stress, role conflict, and emotional
exhaustion.
Work-related stress is defined as a harmful physical and emotional response that occurs when job
demands do not match the worker’s resources or capabilities (Fouche, Strydom & Roestenburg,
2021). In the context of remote work, boundaries between professional and personal life become
blurred, leading to extended working hours and reduced recovery time (Lazarus, 2016). Although
quantitative studies have measured stress levels among remote workers, there is limited qualitative
research exploring the lived experiences of remote-working mothers in the South African context.
The key psychological constructs in this study are work-related stress, role conflict, and lived
experience. Work-related stress refers to the psychological and physiological strain resulting from
work demands (Fouche et al., 2021). Role conflict arises when incompatible expectations exist
between work and family roles (Kahn, 2017). Lived experience refers to the subjective, first-hand
accounts of how individuals perceive and make meaning of their daily realities (Creswell, 2018).
