Abstract:The recent rise in maternal workforce participation has led to more research regarding the role of maternal employment for (early) childhood mental health. This systematic review with meta-analysis covers new evidence on the association of both variables. A systematic literature search was conducted. Studies had to compare children 0–7 years of age on the basis of their mothers’ employment status, working amount, employment duration, i.e., how long the mother had been back at work after birth, or timing of ret… Show more
“…Employment provides more than financial stability, as employment can foster feelings of independence or fulfillment, and offer a community for parents outside the home. Among civilian populations, evidence for links between a primary caregiver's employment and children's externalizing has been mixed, with some work suggesting negative effects and others suggesting positive (Kopp et al., 2023). For example, some work on mother's employment suggests that working for a longer duration may be good for children's behavioral development, whereas returning to work during the first year postpartum may be deleterious (Kopp et al., 2023).…”
Section: Introductionmentioning
confidence: 99%
“…Among civilian populations, evidence for links between a primary caregiver's employment and children's externalizing has been mixed, with some work suggesting negative effects and others suggesting positive (Kopp et al., 2023). For example, some work on mother's employment suggests that working for a longer duration may be good for children's behavioral development, whereas returning to work during the first year postpartum may be deleterious (Kopp et al., 2023). These findings highlight the complexity of parental employment as a potential moderator.…”
Military separation is a well‐documented vulnerability point for service members, yet little is known regarding how children fare across this transition. The current study examined 909 military‐connected children from the Millennium Cohort Family Study (Wave 1 Mage = 3.88 years, SD = .095) across a 3‐year period to explore whether separation predicted child externalizing symptoms over and above Wave 1 externalizing levels, by comparing separated versus not separated military families over time. We also explored if non‐military spouse employment, financial stress, marital quality, or parenting alliance moderated the relation of separation with child externalizing. Data were collected via a parent‐reported online questionnaire and administrative military records. Results showed that separation was unrelated to externalizing. However, moderation analyses suggested that for those who separated, non‐military spouses’ employment prior to separation was related to less externalizing, whereas the parenting alliance was related to less externalizing only for families who remained in the military. Recommendations include assistance with spouse employment prior to military separation and parenting support throughout military service.
“…Employment provides more than financial stability, as employment can foster feelings of independence or fulfillment, and offer a community for parents outside the home. Among civilian populations, evidence for links between a primary caregiver's employment and children's externalizing has been mixed, with some work suggesting negative effects and others suggesting positive (Kopp et al., 2023). For example, some work on mother's employment suggests that working for a longer duration may be good for children's behavioral development, whereas returning to work during the first year postpartum may be deleterious (Kopp et al., 2023).…”
Section: Introductionmentioning
confidence: 99%
“…Among civilian populations, evidence for links between a primary caregiver's employment and children's externalizing has been mixed, with some work suggesting negative effects and others suggesting positive (Kopp et al., 2023). For example, some work on mother's employment suggests that working for a longer duration may be good for children's behavioral development, whereas returning to work during the first year postpartum may be deleterious (Kopp et al., 2023). These findings highlight the complexity of parental employment as a potential moderator.…”
Military separation is a well‐documented vulnerability point for service members, yet little is known regarding how children fare across this transition. The current study examined 909 military‐connected children from the Millennium Cohort Family Study (Wave 1 Mage = 3.88 years, SD = .095) across a 3‐year period to explore whether separation predicted child externalizing symptoms over and above Wave 1 externalizing levels, by comparing separated versus not separated military families over time. We also explored if non‐military spouse employment, financial stress, marital quality, or parenting alliance moderated the relation of separation with child externalizing. Data were collected via a parent‐reported online questionnaire and administrative military records. Results showed that separation was unrelated to externalizing. However, moderation analyses suggested that for those who separated, non‐military spouses’ employment prior to separation was related to less externalizing, whereas the parenting alliance was related to less externalizing only for families who remained in the military. Recommendations include assistance with spouse employment prior to military separation and parenting support throughout military service.
Background: The evidence on maternal employment after childbirth and subsequent child mental health is controversial, and maternal employment is often assessed at only one point in time.
Methods: In this prospective birth cohort study analyzing 536 families, we estimated trajectory classes of maternal employment 0-36 months postpartum. We used multivariable linear regression models to examine possible associations between (1) trajectory classes and (2) maternal employment status at 12 months postpartum with child mental health at 4, 5, and 6 years of age.
Results: We identified five different trajectory classes and found substantial adverse associations with later mental health only among boys. For boys, trajectory classes 2 and 3 (characterized by relatively high maternal working hours/week) were associated with worse mental health at ages 5 and 6 compared to class 1 (relatively low or no working hours/week). For girls, in contrast, class 5 (increasing and subsequently decreasing working hours/week) was associated with better mental health compared to class 1. In addition, a positive association between part-time employment at 12 months postpartum and later mental health among boys was found.
Conclusion: Maternal employment may be associated with children's mental health between the ages of 4 and 6, although an appropriate definition of exposure is needed as the time of assessment is important. Whether there are gender differences in the associations of maternal employment with child mental health, or whether this is an issue susceptible to parental perception requires further investigation.
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