How do Maternal Nonstandard Work Schedules Affect Early Child Development? A Mediation Analysis

Nahri Jung, Minseop Kim (), Larasati Wulandari, Yixin Ke and Ying Zhou
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Nahri Jung: Chinese University of Hong Kong
Minseop Kim: Chinese University of Hong Kong
Larasati Wulandari: University of Toronto
Yixin Ke: University College London
Ying Zhou: Chinese University of Hong Kong

Applied Research in Quality of Life, 2023, vol. 18, issue 5, No 14, 2485-2510

Abstract: Abstract This study examined how the two dimensions of maternal nonstandard work schedules, namely working nonstandard hours and working weekend, influence early child development outcomes, with a focus on the mediating role of maternal involvement in children’s education, parenting stress, and maternal health. Structural equation modelling, using data from mothers of young children (age 5–6) in Hong Kong, found that maternal weekend work was associated with lower levels of maternal involvement in children’s education and suboptimal health status, and that these in turn were associated negatively with overall early child development. By contrast, no such negative mediation effects were detected for mothers working nonstandard hours. Instead, there was a direct, positive association between working nonstandard hours and early child development outcomes. This pattern of findings suggests that the hourly and weekly time frame of maternal nonstandard work schedules (i.e., working nonstandard hours vs. working weekend) may affect young children differently, with different pathways. Implications for policy and practice were discussed.

Keywords: Maternal employment; Nonstandard work schedules; Nonstandard hours; Weekend work; Parental involvement; Parenting stress; Child development; and shift work (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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DOI: 10.1007/s11482-023-10195-8

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