Mothers' Nonstandard Work Schedules and Young Children's School Readiness
type: CreativeWork
description: As the United States continues to move toward a 24/7 global economy, there is an increasing demand for employees to work outside of the traditional 9-to-5 weekday work schedule. However, scholars have only recently begun to address how these types of work arrangements may shape young children's development. The overarching goal of this study was to examine whether mothers' nonstandard work schedules were associated with preschool-aged children's early reading and mathematics skills and externalizing behavior problems. The current study investigated whether these linkages were especially salient for some groups as opposed to others. Specifically, the moderating roles of mothers' work hours and family structure were tested. Finally, this study explored specific family processes as potential mechanisms linking mothers' nonstandard work to children's well-being, with a focus on mothers' depressive symptoms and positive parenting practices (i.e., cognitive stimulation and emotional supportiveness) as mediators.
abstract: As the United States continues to move toward a 24/7 global economy, there is an increasing demand for employees to work outside of the traditional 9-to-5 weekday work schedule. However, scholars have only recently begun to address how these types of work arrangements may shape young children's development. The overarching goal of this study was to examine whether mothers' nonstandard work schedules were associated with preschool-aged children's early reading and mathematics skills and externalizing behavior problems. The current study investigated whether these linkages were especially salient for some groups as opposed to others. Specifically, the moderating roles of mothers' work hours and family structure were tested. Finally, this study explored specific family processes as potential mechanisms linking mothers' nonstandard work to children's well-being, with a focus on mothers' depressive symptoms and positive parenting practices (i.e., cognitive stimulation and emotional supportiveness) as mediators.
author: Haas, Kelly
keywords: Developmental Psychology
date published: 2013-01-01T08:00:00Z
date modified: 2026-07-24T02:55:44Z
provider: Loyola University Chicago
publisher: Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations
type: WebPage
source organization: Loyola University Chicago