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.
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.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Category Original Paper
- Pages 1-15
- DOI 10.1007/s10834-012-9289-0
- Authors
- Bettina J. Casad, Psychology and Sociology Department, California State Polytechnic University, 3801 West Temple Avenue, Pomona, CA 91768, USA
- Amy Marcus-Newhall, Psychology Department, Scripps College, Claremont, CA, USA
- Brandon Nakawaki, Psychology Department, Claremont Graduate University, Claremont, CA, USA
- Alian S. Kasabian, Sociology Department, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE, USA
- Judith LeMaster, Psychology Department, Scripps College, Claremont, CA, USA
- Journal Journal of Family and Economic Issues
- Online ISSN 1573-3475
- Print ISSN 1058-0476