EFFECTS OF EMPLOYMENT AND SOCIAL SUPPORT ON FIRST-TIME MOTHERS AGE 30 AND OLDER: THE FIRST YEAR OF MOTHERHOOD.
Contributors: University of California, San Francisco.
Published: 1994
Number of pages: 168
Subjects: Health Sciences, Nursing.; Sociology, Individual and Family Studies.; Women's Studies.
Description: This study of 52 first-time mothers addressed whether there were differences in self concept, gratification in the maternal role, maternal role strain, and observed maternal behaviors by perceived adequacy of social support and employment status (full-time, part-time, or not employed) at four, eight, and 12 months after birth. Mothers were married, had at least some college education, and had a full-term, normal infant. Repeated measures analysis of variance was used to test for effects of employment status and perceived adequacy of support, and for interactive effects of educational level and socioeconomic status (SES) on the maternal behaviors.

A significant decrease in self concept occurred at eight months; neither employment status nor perceived adequacy of social support had any effects on this decrease. No changes were observed in the mothers' gratification in the maternal role or in their observed maternal behaviors from four through 12 months.

At 12 months, mothers with adequate social support experienced less maternal role strain than mothers without adequate support. Employment status had no effect on role strain.

Interactive effects for each independent variable and educational level were found at four months. Part-time employed mothers with a baccalaureate education had the greatest maternal role strain; these mothers tended to be younger and employed because of financial need. Mothers with graduate education whose support needs were not met, reported higher gratification in the maternal role.

Interactive effects of employment status and SES were found at eight months. Not employed mothers who were in medium SES families reported the greatest gratification in the maternal role.

An unexpected finding was that kind of child care (paid or reciprocal) influenced role strain at four months and observed maternal role behaviors at eight months. Mothers who had paid child care reported significantly less role strain. Mothers employed full-time who had paid child care also had higher observed maternal role behaviors; however, mothers who were employed part-time had higher observed maternal role behaviors when they had reciprocal child care.
Notes: Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 55-05, Section: B, page: 1809.

Thesis (D.N.S.)--UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN FRANCISCO, 1994.

School code: 0034.