Impact of Maternal Employment Guilt on Children's Deviant Behavior among Working Mothers. Moderating Role of Parenting Styles

This current study aims to investigate the impact of maternal employment guilt on children’s deviant behavior and the moderating role of parenting styles among working mothers. A sample of N= 250 working mothers of 21 to 60 years of age and having children of 10 to 19 years of age were included in the study. Cross-sectional design was used. Data was collected through a purposive sampling technique. Maternal Employment Guilt Scale (Selvi & Kantas, 2019), Deviant Behavior Variety Scale (Sijtsema et al., 2010) and Parenting Styles and Dimensions Questionnaire (Robinson et al., 1995) were administered on the participants. Descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, Linear regression and Moderation analysis were used in the study. Pearson correlation revealed that maternal employment guilt has a significant positive correlation with children’s deviant behavior and parenting styles. While parenting style was strongly negatively correlated with children’s deviant behavior. Results of regression analysis suggested that maternal employment guilt strongly and positively predicted children’s deviant behavior among working mothers. Moreover, authoritative, authoritarian and permissive parenting styles had a non-significant moderating effect between maternal employment and children’s deviant behavior. Educating mothers about the impact of guilt-driven permissiveness can promote more consistent and structured parenting approaches, which are beneficial for child development. Furthermore, raising awareness within the community and among employers about the emotional challenges faced by working mothers can contribute to more supportive environments that foster healthier family dynamics.