Sara El-Kaissi

Sara El-Kaissi is a PhD student in the School of Psychology, conducting research in organisational psychology. Her research focuses on workplace factors contributing to workplace burnout, work addiction and depression in mothers, particularly during pregnancy, maternity leave and the transition back to work. Sara’s dissertation aims to investigate how working mothers experience identity development and transformation before, during and after maternity leave as well as how job demands and work-life balance impact emotional exhaustion, especially for mothers in management positions. Her interests lie in understanding how organisational policies and workplace climate can support maternal wellbeing and promote a healthy psychosocial safety climate. Through a mixed-methods approach, Sara’s research aims to develop practical interventions that facilitate a smoother return to work for mothers while fostering a supportive work environment.