PROPEL focuses on parental work-life balance as a key aspect of family mental wellbeing. The project studies the complexity of work-life balance among European and Finnish families, analysing various interacting support and risk factors in the workplace and family settings. Policy and interventions intended to support work-life balance and thereby family wellbeing are also studied. Special attention is paid to gender (in)equality in work-life balance and related consequences. The project includes 9 sub-studies, considering the topic of work-life balance from varying perspectives and utilizing different research methods: statistical analysis of European and Finnish survey data, analysis of work-life balance-related legislation and policy in different European countries, review of programs intended to support work-life balance and analysis of interview data collected among Finnish stakeholders. Project results contribute to developing mental health promotion practice in this field.

2026

2030