NBCOT Occupational Therapy Certification Practice Exam

When a new parent returns to work, they often find it challenging to balance their roles as an employee and a caregiver. This struggle is rooted in the adjustment to the demands of parenthood alongside the expectations of their job. The transition can lead to feelings of being overwhelmed, particularly if the parent is still adapting to the significant changes to their daily life and responsibilities.

Role performance specifically encompasses how an individual executes the various roles they occupy, such as being a parent and an employee. A parent may find that they are continuing to develop their identity as a worker while simultaneously managing new parenting responsibilities. This duality can create stress that affects their efficiency and confidence in fulfilling job-related tasks, ultimately making role performance a primary concern.

The other options, while relevant, do not encapsulate the broad challenges posed by the return to work after becoming a parent in the same way that role performance does. For instance, while parenting skills may be improving, the focus here is more on navigating professional demands alongside new parental duties. Similarly, attention span and assertiveness may not directly correlate with the specific struggles tied to returning to work as a new parent, which is more closely tied to how one juggles multiple roles effectively.