Developmental follow-up of 6-7 year old children of mothers employed during their infancies

Abstract

This study followed up 92 children at ages 6-7 first studied as one-year-olds in order to determine differences in the developmental outcome of the offspring of employed as compared to "stay at home" mothers. The developmental domain evaluated in the 6-7 year old children was peer competence, rated by laboratory play and child psychological test instruments. Mothers' reports of children's behavioral pathology at age 6-7 correlated with a higher number of maternal work hours during the infant's first year, but the children did better during overall play situations. Age 1 attachment ratings better predicted free play social competence for the entire sample than did maternal hours of work absence, but girls accounted for statistical significance. Maternal sensitivity from infancy was associated with maternal reports of (low) problem behaviors; however, regression analyses did not support the hypothesis that relations between either work status or attachment and current problem behaviors were mediated by early maternal sensitivity.