DEPRESSION IN MOTHERS OF INFANTS - THE ROLE OF MATERNAL EMPLOYMENT

The purpose of this research was to identify significant psychological factors that mediate the relation between employment, motherhood, and the mental health status of mothers of infants. In Study 1, 209 mothers of 12-month-old infants were administered the Maternal Separation Anxiety Scale, Beck Depression Inventory, and a stress scale. Ss were divided into 4 groups on the basis of both employment status and employment preference. Results indicated that women who preferred employment but remained at home reported higher levels of depressive symptomatology. Study 2 demonstrated the reliability of the finding and identified issues associated with underlying psychological factors. A new sample of 164 mothers completed the aforementioned measures, the Career Salience Questionnaire, and the Maternal Role Investment Scale. Results replicated those of Study 1 and also indicated that homemakers who preferred employment held conflicting sets of beliefs about the maternal role, separation from their infants, careers, and employment.