Maternity leave in America during a pandemic: The impact of leave on family wellbeing.

Schindler‐Ruwisch, Jennifer; Eaves, Tanika

doi:10.1037/fsh0000629

Cited by 4 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 8 publications

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“…In particular, our findings revealed that returning to work prior to 5 months after childbirth or being in maternity leave and experiencing long-term economic hardship was an additive risk factor for acute levels of separation anxiety and may signal enlarged risk for future child psychopathology, such as separation anxiety disorder. That is why a minimum of guaranteed paid leave (Schindler-Ruwisch & Eaves, 2022) could prevent mothers from working or experiencing long-term financial precarity and thus could help benefit children’s mental health.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Maternal Labor Force Participation During the Child’s First Year and Later Separation Anxiety Symptoms

2023

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Separation anxiety symptoms are frequent among preschool-aged children, but it is also a possible gateway for diagnosis of separation anxiety disorder. Early maternal employment after childbirth can increase the risk for the development of separation anxiety symptoms. From an economic perspective, however, securing employment is one effective strategy to ensure child well-being. This study investigated how mothers’ participation in the labor force (vs. maternal leave) and the financial state of families when the child was 5 months old was prospectively associated with separation anxiety symptoms. This study is based on 1,295 Canadian families with children assessed longitudinally from 17 months to age 6 on their levels of separation anxiety. Separation anxiety was measured during face-to-face interviews with the mothers. Maternal labor force participation, financial status, and risk factors were measured at 5 months. Results adjusted for propensity scores and for sample weight revealed that children of working mothers, despite having sufficient income ( n = 245, 18.9%), were at higher risk of separation anxiety during early childhood. In contrast, maternity leave was most beneficial for children’s separation anxiety, whether they were in a family with sufficient income ( n = 950, 73.4%) or temporary low income ( n = 100, 7.7%). Children of mothers in maternity leave were at risk of heightened separation anxiety only if they experienced chronic economic hardship. Therefore, maternity leave uptake could help prevent the development of separation anxiety. Providing families with opportunity to care for the baby as their main occupation during this sensitive developmental period could help improve children’s mental health.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Maternal Labor Force Participation During the Child’s First Year and Later Separation Anxiety Symptoms

2023

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“…The length of leave taken by fathers had an impact on their mental health, with longer duration of paternity leave associated with higher levels of mental well-being. It is well-known that taking maternal leave results in improved well-being for mothers, 41,42 with longer leave associated with more positive mental health outcomes. [43][44][45] Rather than addressing fathers' mental health, studies focusing on paternal leave tend to focus on how the duration of leave can increase fathers' involvement in caring and providing for children.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Paternal Leave and Fathers’ Mental Health: A Rapid Literature Review

Philpott

Goodwin

Saab

2022

International Journal of Men's Social and Community Health

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Background: Several countries have introduced paternal leave policies in order to encourage and involve fathers in caregiving. Besides supporting fathers’ involvement, paternal leave may have other consequences such as health improvements. Paternity leave could potentially improve mental health outcomes by reducing stress and anxiety associated with work–family conflict. It can be hypothesized that paternal leave has a positive effect on men’s mental health; however, there have been no recent attempts to review the literature pertainingto such outcomes. Purpose: The aim of this rapid review of the literature was to evaluate the evidence from studies that explored the effect of paternal leave on men’s mental health. Design: Rapid literature review Methods: The review was guided by the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Electronic databases CINAHL Plus with Full Text, Academic Search Complete, MEDLINE, APA PsycArticles, APA PsycInfo, Social Sciences Full Text (H.W. Wilson), SocINDEX with Full Text, and ERIC were searched for studies that met the inclusion criteria. Findings: A total of 337 records were identified from the electronic database search. Nine studies met the inclusion criteria. The findings suggest that fathers experience mental health benefits as a result of availing of parental leave. The length of leave availed by fathers had an impact on their mental health, with longer duration of paternity leave associated with higher levels of mental well-being. Flexible leave impeded fathers from fully engaging in their paternal role or their employment duties. Conclusion: The mental health benefits of parental leave usually associated with mothers are also extended to fathers, highlighting the importance of this statutory entitlement.

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“It was amazing and magical, but it was not a vacation at all.”: Examining U.S. maternity leave through a relational dialectics theory analysis

Billotte Verhoff,

Buzzanell

2024

Communication Monographs

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Maternity leave in America during a pandemic: The impact of leave on family wellbeing.

Cited by 4 publications

References 8 publications

Maternal Labor Force Participation During the Child’s First Year and Later Separation Anxiety Symptoms

Maternal Labor Force Participation During the Child’s First Year and Later Separation Anxiety Symptoms

Paternal Leave and Fathers’ Mental Health: A Rapid Literature Review

“It was amazing and magical, but it was not a vacation at all.”: Examining U.S. maternity leave through a relational dialectics theory analysis

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