Nonstandard Work and Mothers’ Parenting and Well-Being: The Impact of Family Structure

• In Event: 220 - Section on the Sociology of the Family Roundtables (one-hour)
  In Refereed Roundtable: Table 09. Family, Work, and Leisure

Abstract

Parental nonstandard employment (shift work) has been shown to affect workers and their families, but little is known about how the impact of shift work varies by mothers’ relationship status. In this working paper, I assess whether marriage buffers mothers from the negative effects of shift work, or whether married mothers have the most to lose by working nonstandard hours. Multiple-group structural equation modeling of nationally-representative data from the Early Child Longitudinal Study – Birth Cohort (N = 5050) are used to assess how shift work affects depression, quantity and sensitivity of parenting, and relationship conflict among married, cohabiting, and single mothers of 4-year-olds. Preliminary results show that the greatest advantage or disadvantage, depending on the outcome in question, accrues to married mothers. The paper concludes with a brief description of further analyses that will be conducted prior to the ASA Annual Meeting in August.

Author

• Matthew N. Weinshenker, Fordham University