Younger Age at First Childbirth Predicts Mothers’ Lower Economic and Psychological Well-Being Later in Life

• DOI: 10.1007/s10834-012-9289-0
• Publication Date: 2012-02-24T09:26:08Z
• Authors: Bettina J. Casad; Amy Marcus-Newhall; Brandon Nakawaki; Alian S. Kasabian; Judith LeMaster
• Keywords: Educational Attainment; Depression

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.