BACKGROUND: Parents of young children are a vulnerable group with an increased risk of stress-related health problems compared to adults without children. Low occupational balance has been identified as a risk factor for stress-related disorders.

AIM: The study aimed to describe occupational balance in parents of pre-school children and to explore potential differences between mothers and fathers.

METHOD: Data were collected by a web-based survey based on the Occupational Balance Questionnaire (OBQ11). A total of 302 working parents (200 mothers and 102 fathers) with at least one child under seven years of age were included in the study.

FINDINGS: Mothers reported lower occupational balance than fathers with a median value of 10 for mothers and 12 for fathers (p = 0.029). Mothers rated significantly lower than fathers in three items; 'Balance between work, home, family, leisure, rest and sleep', 'Having sufficient time for doing obligatory occupations' and 'Balance between doing things for others and for oneself'.

CONCLUSION: The results indicate that caring for pre-school children may negatively impact both parents, impacting mothers' occupational balance to a greater degree.

SIGNIFICANCE: Occupational therapists' knowledge could be utilised to increase awareness of the importance of occupational balance within health services and improve mothers' occupational balance.