Maternal Working Conditions and Child Well-Being in Welfare-Leaving Families

Bibliographic Data

ID9791914
AuthorsRachel Dunifon (0000-0002-9751-6198, Policy Analysis (United States), corresponding author), Ariel Kalil (0000-0002-7506-5023, University of Chicago), Ashish Bajracharya (0000-0002-0381-7054, Cornell University)
Year2005
Volume41
Issue6
Pages851-859
Publication date2005-01-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueDevelopmental Psychology (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0012-1649 • E-ISSN: 1939-0599
PublisherAmerican Psychological Association (APA) (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1037/0012-1649.41.6.851
PMID16351332
OpenAlexW2014045072
LanguageEN
Citations received41
References cited34

In the wake of welfare reform, thousands of low-income single mothers have transitioned into the labor market. In this article, the authors examine how the work conditions of mothers leaving welfare for employment are associated with the emotional well-being of 372 children ages 5 to 15 years. The authors examine the cumulative incidence, over a 5-year period, of maternal non-family-friendly work conditions, including long work hours, erratic work schedules, nonday shifts, and lengthy commute times, in association with children's internalizing and externalizing behavior problems and levels of positive behavior. The authors found that mothers' lengthy commute times are associated with higher levels of internalizing problem behaviors and lower levels of positive behaviors

Association (psychology · Developmental psychology · Economics · Single mothers · Welfare · Work (physics · Employment and Welfare Studies · Gender, Labor, and Family Dynamics · Psychology · Work-Family Balance Challenges