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Article
Employed Parents of Children Receiving Mental Health Services: Caregiver Strain and Work-Life Integration
Families in Society: The Journal of Contemporary Social Services
  • Ana Maria Brannan, Indiana University
  • Eileen Brennan, Portland State University
  • Claudia Sellmaier, University of Washington, Tacoma
  • Julie M. Rosenzweig, Portland State University
Document Type
Citation
Publication Date
3-1-2018
Disciplines
Abstract

Applying conservation of resources theory, we examined employment engagement (i.e., months of employment, hours worked per week, days of work missed due to the child’s challenges) among caregivers of children and youth entering community-based mental health service systems. The sample included 3,569 caregivers who were employed at some point in the previous 6 months. Variables associated with employment included family interactions, number of children in the household, caregiver age and gender, and caregiver race and ethnicity. The findings suggest that caregivers’ appraisals of their caregiving experiences were stronger predictors of work engagement than was child symptom severity. We concluded that supporting families as they care for children with emotional and behavioral disorders could reduce caregiver strain, thereby improving employment outcomes.

Locate the Document

https://doi.org/10.1177/1044389418756375

DOI
10.1177/1044389418756375
Persistent Identifier
https://archives.pdx.edu/ds/psu/25564
Citation Information
Brannan, A. M., Brennan, E. M., Sellmaier, C., & Rosenzweig, J. M. (2018). Employed Parents of Children Receiving Mental Health Services: Caregiver Strain and Work–Life Integration. Families in Society, 99(1), 29-44.