BlackBerries, iPhones, iPads  and other devices are to blame for making women feel more guilty and distressed, a new study of mostly married men and women with children suggests [via CNN.com].

According to University of Toronto Sociology PhD candidate and lead author Paul Glavin, women surveyed felt 40% more distressed than men when family life is frequently interrupted by these electronic devices and other forms of communication. This is so despite having the same amount of work pressure.

The study of over 1000 respondents also showed that when co-workers contacted women at home, they felt guilty twice as often as men when contacted at home. Researchers were surprised by the differences between the emotional response between men and women even when all factors including ability to manage work and home life were held equal.

“We examined the extent that work actually interfered, and our results were focused on controlling for all those factors,” says Glavin. “At the end of the day, the only thing left was guilt, and that’s where the distress came in. We can only speculate about why.”

So why this difference in guilt? There is no definite answer, but Glavin says one theory is that society still holds, perhaps sub-consciously, the belief that women’s priority should still be the home with their children.  In other words, mothers at home who get that work-related call may feel more guilty about handling it because it takes time away from their duties at home.

What do you think?

The end of the school year is upon us (again), and I’ve been searching around to find the perfect graduation gift. Through my Google searches, I’ve found the following 7 items that keep coming up within several lists of graduation gift ideas for girls. This list is great for high school and college/post-graduate grads. Check it!

1. iPods – a must-have study accessory to block out unwanted noise. Don’t forget to get mix and match iPod cases and chic earbuds to go with it!

2. Laundry Bag – the ones that come in pretty colors and patterns to brighten laundry day just a tad. Accompany that bag with instructions and a detergent kit!

3. Laptop – a life upgrade requires a laptop upgrade. Be sure to give that pretty new laptop a pretty laptop case or feminine laptop tote!

4. Digital Camera – capture new and exciting memories from the next chapter of her life. And minimize damage and lengthen the life of this gadget with a cute camera case.

5. College Kit – care packages made with snacks, bath and beauty products, sewing kit, earplugs, etc., all packed inside a colorful shower tote.

6. Smartphone – as she enters the grown-up world, she’ll need a grown up cell phone. BlackBerrys and iPhones are most popular. Dress ‘em up for success with cute cell phone cases.

7. Gift Cards – some suggest gift cards to grocery stores, gas stations and the campus bookstore. Of course, I say check out our StyleSynch gifts cards to outfit any girl’s tech gear!

There are many other great gift ideas- feel free to share! Whatever you choose, if you can make it as personal, memorable or functional (or a combo of all three) as possible, then you’ve got a hit!