In addition to examining the incidence and duration of work interruptions, a considerable amount of research has been devoted to identifying the factors that contribute to the interruptions. Krahn and Lowe use the results of a panel study of 179 husband- wife couples. This Edmonton area study, conducted in 1980, interviewed the couples to assess the influence of situational and attitudinal factors on the work behaviour of wives. Although this study does not specifically address work interruptions, it isolates factors that influence a woman's decision to work. Potentially, these factors have a reverse effect when a woman is faced with a work interruption.
Previous research reveals two opposing perspectives on factors that influence a woman's work status.
With the advent of the women's liberation movement, the research focus shifted to examine how new attitudes change consciousness and promote women's work outside the home. Lowe and Krahn used this panel study to determine which factors, structural or attitudinal, have more explanatory power. They constructed indexes from attitudinal scales to determine the views of both husbands and wives about women working outside the home. The investigators rejected the hypothesis that the husband's attitude could influence a wife's choice to participate in the labour force. The researchers conclude that the attitudes of husbands and wives have little direct relation to a wife's decision to work.