Maternal employment effects on family and preterm infants at three months Article

Youngblut, JM, Loveland-Cherry, CJ, Horn, M. (1991). Maternal employment effects on family and preterm infants at three months . Nursing Research, 40(5), 272-275. 10.1097/00006199-199109000-00004

cited authors

  • Youngblut, JM; Loveland-Cherry, CJ; Horn, M

abstract

  • The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of maternal employment status and the mother's degree of choice and satisfaction regarding her employment status on family functioning and. on the preterm infant's development at three months chronologic age. Families with preterm infants (N = 110) were categorized as employed, nonemployed, and on leave of absence based on the mother's employment status at three months postpartum. There were no significant differences across employment groups on family functioning and child development. The infant's motor development was positively correlated with number of hours employed per week and degree of choice for the employed, mother families, but negatively correlated with choice for the nonemployed mother families. These results suggest that maternal employment may not be detrimental for infants born prior to term. Indeed, it may be beneficial, especially if the mother has a choice in the matter. © Lippincott-Raven Publishers.

authors

publication date

  • January 1, 1991

published in

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

start page

  • 272

end page

  • 275

volume

  • 40

issue

  • 5