Younger Age at First Childbirth Predicts Mothers’ Lower Economic and Psychological Well-Being Later in Life
- Bettina J. Casad,
- Amy Marcus-Newhall,
- Brandon Nakawaki,
- Alian S. Kasabian,
- Judith LeMaster
- … show all 5 hide
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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.
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References (104)
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About this Article
- Title
- Younger Age at First Childbirth Predicts Mothers’ Lower Economic and Psychological Well-Being Later in Life
- Journal
-
Journal of Family and Economic Issues
Volume 33, Issue 4 , pp 421-435 - Cover Date
- 2012-12-01
- DOI
- 10.1007/s10834-012-9289-0
- Print ISSN
- 1058-0476
- Online ISSN
- 1573-3475
- Publisher
- Springer US
- Additional Links
- Topics
- Keywords
-
- Motherhood
- Age at first childbirth
- Well-being
- Industry Sectors
- Authors
-
-
Bettina J. Casad
(1)
- Amy Marcus-Newhall (2)
- Brandon Nakawaki (3)
- Alian S. Kasabian (4)
- Judith LeMaster (2)
-
Bettina J. Casad
- Author Affiliations
-
- 1. Psychology and Sociology Department, California State Polytechnic University, 3801 West Temple Avenue, Pomona, CA, 91768, USA
- 2. Psychology Department, Scripps College, Claremont, CA, USA
- 3. Psychology Department, Claremont Graduate University, Claremont, CA, USA
- 4. Sociology Department, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE, USA