Comparison of Behavioral Problems of Children Among Employed and Unemployed Mothers

Abstract

This study compared the behavioral problems among employed and unemployed mothers seeking health services from pediatric OPD of St. Johns Medical College Hospital, Bengaluru. The sample comprised equal numbers of employed (35) and unemployed mothers (35). The mothers completed a self-administered questionnaire (Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire) to assess their children's behavioral problems. Independent T-test was used to compare children's behavior problems among employed and unemployed mothers. Fisher Freeman Halton Test determines the association with selected baseline variables. Results revealed that 12.85% of children of unemployed mothers were having borderline behavioral problems, and 5.71% of children of employed mothers were having more behavioral problems. Children of employed and unemployed mothers showed abnormal behavior, 14.28% and 20%, respectively. Based on the findings, the study revealed that children of employed mothers are likely to exhibit normal behavior. In contrast, children of unemployed mothers are at a higher risk of displaying abnormal behavior. There is a significant association of behavioral problems of children among employed mothers with comorbidities of mothers at a p-value of 0.004.