Article
Younger Age at First Childbirth Predicts Mothers’ Lower Economic and Psychological Well-Being Later in Life
Early Childhood Education Journal
(2012)
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.
Keywords
- Motherhood,
- Age at first childbirth,
- Well-being
Disciplines
Publication Date
January 12, 2012
DOI
10.1007/s10834-012-9289-0
Citation Information
Bettina J. Casad, Amy Marcus-Newhall, Brandon Nakawaki, Alian S. Kasabian, et al.. "Younger Age at First Childbirth Predicts Mothers’ Lower Economic and Psychological Well-Being Later in Life" Early Childhood Education Journal Vol. 33 Iss. 4 (2012) p. 421 - 435 Available at: http://works.bepress.com/bettina-casad/13/