Younger Age at First Childbirth Predicts Mothers’ Lower Economic and Psychological Well-Being Later in Life

Bettina Casad (), Amy Marcus-Newhall, Brandon Nakawaki, Alian Kasabian and Judith LeMaster

Journal of Family and Economic Issues, 2012, vol. 33, issue 4, 435 pages

Abstract: Age at first childbirth affects mothers’ economic and psychological well-being later in life. Using a gender and power framework, two studies examined the associations among age at first childbirth, employment status, perceived choice, and race/ethnicity as predictors of economic and psychological well-being in a sample of middle class, married mothers (Study 1) and a nationally representative sample of married mothers (Study 2). Results indicated younger age at first childbirth is associated with less choice; lower educational attainment; lower SES; greater household labor; greater perceived chore discrepancy; lower self-esteem; less life, work, and relationship satisfaction; but is unrelated to depression or work stress. There were differences by employment status and minimal differences by race/ethnicity. The findings suggest that negative economic and psychological outcomes later in life are related to having one’s first child at a younger age. Copyright Springer Science+Business Media, LLC 2012

Keywords: Motherhood; Age at first childbirth; Well-being (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2012
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DOI: 10.1007/s10834-012-9289-0

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