CHILDREN IN DUAL EARNER AND SINGLE EARNER...
34
CHAPTER - VII CHILDREN IN DUAL EARNER AND SINGLE EARNER FAMILIES AND THEIR MENTAL HEALTH
Transcript of CHILDREN IN DUAL EARNER AND SINGLE EARNER...
CHAPTER - VII
CHILDREN IN DUAL EARNER
AND SINGLE EARNER FAMILIES
AND THEIR MENTAL HEALTH
INTRODUCTION
The concept of maternal employment has become an important
variable in the study of child development. Over the past few decades children in
dual earner families have been extensively studied from different angles. v a n y of
the earlier researches were aimed at understanding the impact of maternal
employment on the development of children. Ever since Minturn and Lambert
(1964) found that family structure variables including parental workload were more
important for the growing child than were specific child bearing techniques, many
studies focused on the consequences of maternal employment on child
development.
Some of the earlier researches have found a high rate of delinquency
and antisocial behaviour among children of working mothers. Unstructured and
unsupervised life of children in dual earner families was found to have a strong
correlation with the process of child development. Early studies onlmaternal
deprivation and its impact on child development have focused largely on working
mothers. This was due to the assumption that maternal employment in the child's
early years lead to some degree of maternal deprivation.
Studies on the mental health of children in dual earner families
generally conclude that work-family interface among mothers usually lead to
qualitative changes in the parent- child relationship. Changes in the home
environment resulting from mother's work role often adversely affect the
psychological make-up of the child. One of such adverse effects on the
psychological make-up of the child has been identified as the deficiently developed
intimacy. Another interesting aspect of the problem is the attitude of children
towards maternal employment. Studies conducted in the west have confirmed that
children of working mothers tend to have more negative attitude about their mother's
employment. These children oflen consider themselves in a disadvantaged position
due to mother's work involvement. They experience lack of warmth in relationship
with their mother and loneliness. These two experiences can have far reaching
repercussions on the personality development of children in dual earner families.
Family environment is an important aspect in the mental health of
its members. Healthy family functioning is an essential requirement for the
growing child. Conducive home environment characterized by feelings of cohesion,
support, mutual trust and acceptance of feelings of each member contributes
positively to the psychological development of its members. This is especially true
of young children in dual earner families.
Family therapists have identified different types of family
pathologies responsible for the abnormal personality development of children.
Marital Schism and Marital Skew Theories of Theodore Lidz, Double Bind
Communication Theory of Baetson, Schizophrenogenic Mother Concept of
Reichmann-Fromrn, Emotional Divorce Theory of Wynne etc. are some of the
major theories in this regard. In the second chapter of this study, the researcher has
reviewed research findings indicating the type of changes taking place in family
functioning as well as marital relationship, when the female spouse is employed.
Adverse changes in family environment and marital relationship of spouses have
tremendous impact on children and their psychological development.
Keeping these factors in mind, the researcher has made an attempt to
measure the mental health of one adolescent child each from the family groups of
this study. Mental health of children is assessed through the Mental Health Status
Scale (MHS). Since this scale can be administered only to children above 12 years,
only those above the age of 12 in each family is studied. The findings of the
mental health status of children in dual earner and single earner families is given in
second part of this chapter.
PART I : BACKGROUND INFORMATION OF CHILDREN lN DUAL
EARNER AND SINGLE EARNER FAMILIES
This part of the chapter analyzes the data pertaining to the number of
children in a family, age of children, sex-wise distribution and educational
status of children in all the three family groups. These background information
would provide an apt platform for understanding the mental health status of children.
A. Number of Children in a Family
Total number of children is an indication of the extent of guidance
and support they can receive from their parents. Children in small families
usually receive close supervision and constant support from their parents compared
to children of large sized families. The following table compares the total number of
children in the three family groups of this study.
Table 7.1
Number of Children in the Three Family Groups
The above table clearly indicates that majority of families in all the
three groups are two children families. 17.8 per cent of the traditional single earner
families are single child families, whereas dual earner families of both types have a
i
No
1
2 -
f L
Number of
Children
One
Two
Three
Four
TOTAL
-
fewer number in this category. Majority of single child families in all the three
groups belong to the first family life cycle of this study. These families could be
expanding families and may have more children later. One of the striking finding is
that no family had more than four children. Statistical details of the number of
children in a family is given below :
Table 7.2
Statistical Details of Number of Children
Standard Deviation 0.60
Statistical Details
Inter-group comparison of the average number of children indicate
that the mean is higher in the pure double track category, though the diRerence in
mean is quite insignificant. Variation in the total number of children is high in the
traditional single earner families though range is similar in all the three groups.
These findings indicate that the three family groups are comparable as far as the
number of children in these families is concerned.
B. Age of Children
PDT N = 90
2.29
The total number of children in the three family groups is 599; of
which 194 belonged to the interrupted double track families, 206 belonged to the
pure double track families and the remaining 199 belonged to the traditional single
earner families. Distribution of children according to different age classifications is
given in the following table.
TSE N = 9 0
2.21
Table 7.3
Age-wise Distribution of Children
As the findings indicate, more than one third of children in all the
three family groups belong to early childhood (less than 6 years) and an almost equal
number of children belong to late childhood (between 7 and 12). Only one fourth of
all children belong to the adolescent category (above 12 years of age). The pattern
of age distribution of children is similar in all the three family groups. Statistical
details of the age of children in the study groups are as follow.
Table 7.4
Statistical Details of Age of Children
Statistical Details I N = 194
8.90 8.87
- I
I Mode 12.0 12 0 - : Standard Deviation I - I Range
12.0
I 1-18
4.63 I
2-18 I 1-18
4.56 4.85
As is evident from this table, the mean age of children in all the three
groups is nearly 9 years. The median value and mode value are similar in all the
groups. The mean difference of age from the average age of a child in all the three
groups is less than five years of age. These findings, as in the case of number of
children in all the groups, indicate that the three groups are similar with respect to
the age of child.
C. Sex of Children in the Study Groups
Sex-wise distribution of children in all the three family groups is
given in the following table.
Table 7.5
Sex-wise Distribution of Children
The number of male and female children is equal in the interrupted
double track family. As is quite obvious, the sex ratio of children is the most
imbalanced in the traditional single earner family. There is a ten percent difference
between the two sexes in these families. The ratio of children of both sexes is
favourable for boys in the pure double track families also. The unfavou'rable sex
ratio for the female child in the traditional single earner families could be due to the
cultural importance given to male members in Indian societies. This became quite
obvious from the fact that in most of the families with more than two children the
first two are girls
I No
1
2
Sex
Male
Female
TOTAL
IDT
NO
97
97
194
Yo
50.0
50.0
100.0
PDT
NO
109
97
206
TSE
?'o
52.9
47.1
100.0
NO -
110
89
199
Yo .
55.3
44.7
100.0
D. Educational Background of Children
The educational background of all the 599 children is assessed to
understand the standards reached by children in all the three family groups. The
following table enumerating the standards reached by children also helps us to
understand the burden of child care with respect to those below three years of age.
Table 7.6
Educational Status of Children
Schooling no1:l 14 1 7.2 1 24 1 11.7 1 22 1 11.1 1 I I l started
N~
21.7 47 22.8 46 23.1
17.0 34 16.5 34 17.1
17 8.8 20 9.7 16 8.0
(11-12)
TOTAL 194 100.0 206 100.0 199 100.0 ! *
IDT PDT TSE Standard Reached -
Yo NO Yo NO Yo
As is reflected in the age distribution of children, there are more
children in pure double track and traditional single earner families who belong to the
category of children who have not started schooling. Since all these children are less
than three years of age, they are considered pre-schoolers. Majority of children in all
the three groups belong to the category of primary school children. One fourth of
all children are studying in standard eight or above in all the three family groups.
Representation of a large number of children from primary and middle schools is
basically due to the fact that two third of the total families studied in this group
belonged to the first two family life cycles
Analysis of data pertaining to the above variables reveals that
children in all the three family groups are equal in many respects. One of the
variables where the difference between the three groups is prominent is in the
sex composition of children. Age distribution and educational background reveal no
significant difference between the three groups. The three family groups are also
similar in the total number of children in a family as is reflected in table 7.2.
PART I1 : MENTAL HEALTH STATUS OF CHILDREN IN DUAL
EARNER AND SINGLE EARNER FAMILIES
Mental Health Status of children is measured using the Mental Health
Status Scale developed by Abraham and Prasanna in the year 1981. This scale
assesses the mental health of children of high school and above. Sixteen different
components are measured which are identified as the key variables of mental health
of children. The test scores provide valuable information regarding the mental
health level of students which is more valid than that could be ascertained through a
personal interview. One of the advantages of this tool is that it conceptualizes
mental health as a positive attribute and assesses the positive mental health of
children rather than the psychopathology or abnormal behaviour.
Of the 599 children in the three family groups, only 30 adolescent
children from each family group is studied. This was due to the limitation of the
MHS Scale which restricts its application to children of 12 years and above. Hence,
one adolescent from families in the third life cycle of this study in each family group
was administered the scale. In case of instances where there are more than one child
between 12 and 18 years of age in a family, only one randomly selected child was
administered the scale. Thus, data pertaining to the mental health of 30 adolescent
children of families belonging to the third family developmental cycle of this
study were obtained. An analysis of data pertaining to the mental health of
adolescent children is given in this part of the chapter. Based on the scale norms
(given in appendix) suggested by the authors, the score obtained by each child has
been classified as 'low', 'average', and 'high' on each of the scale factors as well as on
the total mental health.
A. Optimism of Adolescent Children
This dimension of child mental health measures the extent of
optimism of children. Optin~ism enables children to see day-to-day life situations in a
positive light and to hope for a bright future. High level of optimism indicates the
extent of confidence and trust in one's own abilities. The level of optimism shown
by adolescent children of this study is given below.
Table 7.7
Level of Optimism of Children
i Average I 1 I I I
I0 33.3 15 1 50.0 1 6 ~i
Level of
I Optimism
As is evident from this table, large number of children in traditional
single earner families possess a high level of optimism compared to children in the
dual earner families. Among children of pure double track families, 50 per cent
belong to the average level of optimism, which is the lowest among the three family
groups. These findings indicate that when both parents are employed and show
commitment to different life roles, children do not receive adequate support for their
life skill development which is manifested in the form of low level of optimism.
Children in traditional single earner families receive lot more parental attention and
support for their life skill development which in turn increases their optimism.
PDT
NO
--
TSE
Yo
-. NO
-- Yo
--
B. Adaptability of Adolescent Children
Ability of an individual to adapt to different life situations is
considered an important indicator of histher mental health. Extent o f flexibilities
according to the demands of situations allows an individual to maintain a state of
balance where emotions, feelings, attitudes and behavioural patterns are conducive
to the life goals. However, the degrees of adaptability can go to both extremes. At
one end an individual car1 be very rigid and at the other end he can be highly
flexible. High flexibility can possibly lead to chaos while rigidity can lead to a
dysfunctional state.
Adolescent children need to adapt to different life situations. Their
ability to do so determines how happy and satisfied they will be in different
spheres of life The following table illustrates the level of adaptability of
adolescent children of this study.
Table 7.8
Adaptability of Adolescent Children
PDT TSE
NO Yo NO Yo
-- -- -- -- - - - .
Average 14 46.7 23 76.7 15 1 50.0 1
This table clearly indicates that adolescent children in pure double
track families exhibit lower levels of adaptability compared to adolescents in the
other two family groups. More than three fourth of all children in pure double track
families manifest only average level of adaptability whereas, only half of adolescent
children in the other two groups belong to this category. A striking finding is that
children fared poorly on the adaptability dimension of mental health compared to the
optimism dimension.
C. Sense of Security of Children
Sense of security is one of the psychological needs of human beings.
It emerges from the feeling that the future is safe in terms of support available to
an individual. Security feelings tend to be positively correlated with life
satisfaction. It provides a sense of comfort to an individual and takes away undue
worries regarding the future. Feeling of security is achieved when different needs
are met. Unmet needs lead to uncertainty regarding future and dissatisfaction
with present life. Employment patterns of parents, especially of mother, tend to
affect the security feelings of children. This is especially true if children's basic
needs are not met. Keeping this is mind, the sense of security of adolescent children
was assessed. The findings is given in the table below.
Table 7.9
Sense of Security of Children
Levels of Sense
High
TOTAL
This table states that children with high sense of security is found
more in traditional single earner families followed by theintenupted double track
families. Only 20 per cent children from pure double track families exhibit a high
level of sense of security. These findings indicate that basic needs of children are
effectively met with in traditional single earner families which help them develop a
high sense of security. Clhildren in dual earner families especially in pure double
track category experience high level of uncertainty regarding future and
dissatisfaction with their present life. Involvement of parents in occupational
role usually affect the security feelings of these children as psychological needs
of love, affection, safety and support often remain unmet.
D. Regularity of Habits of Adolescents
Regularity of physiological and other habits is an early indication of
the temperamental traits of children. It is often considered an important personality
trait of mentally healthy individuals. Orderliness and regularity of habitual
practices often indicate a healthy personality. Among people of unhealthy
personality there is disorderliness and irregularity of habitual practices. The
regularity of habits of children in the three groups of this study is given in the
following table.
Table 7.10
Regularity of Habits of Adolescents
Majority of children in all the three family groups exhibit an average
level of regularity of habits. Children of pure double track families are few in
number in the high level regularity of habits category. Percentage analysis of data
reveal that children of pure double track families are different from those of the
other two family groups. Less than one fourth of total children in this group exhibit
No
- 1 - 2
Regularity of
Habits
Low
Average
IDT
NO
--
16
YO
--
53.3
PDT
NO
--
23
TSE
YO
--
76.7
NO
--
18
YO
--
60.0
a high regularity of habits, whereas more than one third exhibit high regblarity of
habits among children of the other two groups.
E. Perception of Reality of Adolescents
Reality orientation of an individual is an important aspect of
psychological health, as it provides insight .to an individual regarding histher
abilities, attitudes, feeling states, desires, weaknesses and impulses. Knowing oneself
and the environment in which an individual lives provide one self awareness.
Mentally healthy individuals do not distort the reality to suit their needs and see the
reality as it is. When an individual distort reality for one or other reason hdshe sets
limitation for own growth and development. The following table analyzed the data
pertaining to perceptions of reality of adolescents.
Table 7.1 1
Perception of Reality of Children
As is reflected in this table, majority of children in all the three
family groups have high level perception of reality. The number of adolescent
children with average level reality orientation is more in the pure double track. The
other two groups are more or less same as far as the number of children in each
category is concerned. One third of all children in the pure double track families
report an average level reality orientation.
Perception of
1 -- 26.7
73.3
TOTAL 100.0
PDT
NO
--
10
20
30
TSE
Yo
-- 33.3
66.7
100.0
NO
--
5
25
30
Yo
--
16.7
83.3
100.0
F, Emotional Maturity
Gaining adequate control over emotional reactions and expressing
emotions adequately according to the demands of situations are essential features
of a healthy personality. Intense emotional reactions and emotional tensions indicate
poor mental health status of an individual. Adolescence is generally considered a
period of intense emotional reactions. It is rather a period of storm and stress.
Emotional problems reach its peak during this stage of development resulting from
the physical and glandular changes that are taking place. The emotional instability
experienced by adolescents is the logical consequence of the necessity of
making adjustment to new patterns of behaviour and to new social expectations.
An adolescent is expected to have gained emotional maturity if the
emotional steam is let off in a socially acceptable manner. For this they have to
assess situations critically before responding to it emotionally. Emotionally mature
adolescents are stable in their emotional responses and they do not swing'from one
emotion or mood to another as in their childhood. The data pertaining to the level
of emotional maturity of children of this study are given below.
Table 7.12
Emotional Maturity of Adolescents
Emotional PDT TSE
NO I Yo NO I O h
The findings suggest that more than three fourth of all adolescents
exhibit a high level of emotional maturity in all the three family groups. The
number of children with high emotional maturity is more in the interrupted double
track families and less in the pure double track families.
G. Social Conformity
Adolescence is a period when children get into gang activities and
give priority to peer group over the family. Because of the unsupervised activities
undertaken by adolescent groups, members in these groups tend to develop
antisocial behaviour patterns like smoking, taking alcohol etc. One of the most
difficult developmental tasks of adolescence relates to social adjustments. To
achieve the goal of social conformity the adolescent must acquire membership in
congenial social groups, new values in friendship selection and new values in social
acceptance and rejection. Family influence plays an important role in determining
the degree of social conformity of adolescents. The following table highlights the
findings on the level of social conformity of adolescents.
Table 7.13
Social conformity of Adolescents
These findings reveal the extent of differences between family
groups on social conformity of its adolescent members. Adolescent children of
dual earner families exhibit similar levels of social conformity. The striking
difference of adolescents in traditional single earner family from those of both
dual earner families could be explained by the orthodox values held by members
in traditional single earner families. Traditional single earner families hold orthodox
values and exercise a greater degree of control over the social behaviour of
children. The conformity to social standards, social adjustments, and the social
behaviour are more adaptive among adolescent children of traditional single
earner families. Dual earner families tend to hold more liberal values compared to
those of the traditional single earner families. This often lead to acquiring
behaviour which are socially maladaptive.
H. Freedom from Sociopathic Tendencies
Because adolescents spend most of their time outside the hbme with
members of the peer group, it is understandable that peers would have a greater
influence on adolescent attitudes, speech, interest and behaviour. If members of the
peer group experiment with alcohol, drugs or tobacco, adolescents are likely to do
the same, regardless of how they feel about these matters. Adolescent social
groupings especially gangs foster antisocial behaviour.
Freedom from sociopathic tendencies determine the socialization
patterns of an adolescent. If one is free from different sociopathic tendencies like
stealing, telling lies, expressing no remorse for a wrong deed, violent behaviour,
aggression and defiance and oppositional behaviour, one's psychological health is
considered good and vice-versa. Perception of adolescent children regirding the
level of freedom from sociopathic tendencies is given in the following table.
Table 7.14
Freedom from Sociopathic Tendencies
I I Freedom from / IDT PDT TSE
N~ Sociopathic
Tendencies YO NO YO NO YO
A large number of adolescent children (90 per cent) of traditional
single earner families exhibit a high level of freedom from sociopathic tendencies.
In the interrupted double track families too 76.7 per cent children exhibit a high
level of freedom from sociopathic tendencies. The trend is much different among
adolescents of pure double track families where 60 per cent children exhibit
average level of freedom fiom sociopathic tendencies.
The differences in data could be explained by the extent of
parental guidance and supervision available to the adolescent children in different
family groups. Usually in traditional single earner families there is close supervision
of children's activities and hence there is high level of parental control over activities
and behaviour of children. In dual earner families there is low parental role
commitment which can contribute to increasing sociopathic tendencies.
I. Recreational Pursuits
Externalization of interests, especially engagement in recreational
activities, is considered an important requirement for good psychological health.
Recreational pursuits help children to forget their conflicts and stresses, and to
engage in creative activities. Because of the pressures of school work, extra-
curricular activities, and other involvements, most adolescents have far less time
for recreation than they did when they were younger. Lack of interests in
recreational pursuits or lack of time for engagement in recreational pursuits can
have far reaching effects on their mental health. The following table depicts the
level of recreational pursuits of children of this study.
Table 7.15
Recreational Pursuits of Adolescents
Recreational PDT TSE
pursuits NO I YO NO I YO
-- -- -- -. -- -
Average 15 50.0 24 80.0 10 33.3
This table highlights the extent of differences between adclescents of
the three family groups with regard to their recreational pursuits. Children of
traditional single earner families outnumber other children in the high level
recreational pursuits category. Two third of all children in this category have high
level recreational pursuits. The situation is quite different in case of adolescents
of' pure double track families. In this group only 20 per cent children have high
level recreational pursuits.
J. Mastery of Environment of Adolescent Children
Ability of an individual to master the environment indicates how
successful an individual will be in his environment. Environmental mastery
enables an individual to manipulate things around h idhe r to suit hidher needs,
desires and wishes. When one is able to do so one has high possibilities of success.
Mastery of environment requires good decision making abilities, problem solving
skills, leadership, communication abilities and creativity. When these attributes are
used for success an individual attains life satisfaction, and when an individual fails to
apply these in different life situations helshe confronts failure and disappointment in
life. Inadequacy feelings and dependency on others can be the natural results of such
a situation. The level of environment mastery of adolescents of this study is given
below.
Table 7.16
Mastery of Environment of Adolescent
Adolescent children of intempted double track families and
traditional single earner families exhibit similar levels of mastery of environment.
Nearly three fourth of all children in these two family groups show high level
mastery of environment. Among children of pure double track families only 6.33
percent exhibit a high level environmental mastery. The difference may have
emerged from the low level of parental guidance and support available to these
adolescents.
K Positive Attitude Towards Self
Positive attitude towards self is the corner-stone of self esteem in an
individual. The way an individual perceives his own abilities, wishes, desires and
impulses, and the realization of these as one's own constitute a major part in
formation self concept in an individual. Ability to accept own feelings, desires and
needs in a positive light enhances the image of an individual. A person with a
positive attitude towards self is one who understands one's worth in the society and
the meaning of existence in society. The level of positive attitude of adolescents
towards their self is given in the table below.
Table 7.17
Positive Attitude Towards Self r / positive IDT PDT TSE
/ NO / Attitude b / I Towards Self [ N O / % I N O ( % J N O I X /
Majority of adolescents in all the three groups exhibit a high positive I
attitude towards self. However, the number of those in the pure double track with
high level positive attitude towards self, is much less than the adolescents in other
family groups. Children in interrupted double track families outnumber others with
regard to their high level positive attitude towards self This again could be due
to the availability of a conducive, supporting family environment where they get
relentless support and guidance from their parents in their day-to-day activities.
L. Positive Attitude Towards Others
Ability to get along with others, appreciate others' qualities and to
derive life satisfaction from being of use to others are important for meaningful
social existence. Developing friendly relationship with others and being part of
other's social life are essential features of a mentally healthy individual. This
demands a great amount of ability to adjust with other fellow human beings; be it
parents, siblings, friends or strangers. Adolescence is a period when there is negative
outlook towards other's view points, ideas and style of functioning. The level of
positive attitude of adolescents towards others is analyzed in the following table.
Table 7.18
Positive Attitude Towards Others
Positive
Attitude
Toward Others
Low
Average
The findings of this table suggest that adolescents of intempted
double track and traditional single earner families hold the same level of positive
attitude towards others. However, it is worth noting that more than half of the
adolescents in these two groups have only average level of positive attitude towards
others. In the pure double track families there is fewer number (40 per cent) of
adolescents who hold high level of positive attitude towards others. These findings
underline the social attitude of adolescents in general. During adolescence' children
tend to have adjustment problems resulting from the new values in social
acceptance and rejection. This is well reflected in this study as well.
High
M. Freedom from Negativism
Negative attitude and behaviour are characteristic mainly of the
early part of adolescence. The worst phase of the negative phase is usually over
IDT
14
30
NO
--
16
Yo
--
53.3
PDT
46.7
100.0
NO
--
18
TSE
Yo
--
60.0
NO
--
16
12
30
Yo
--
53.3
40.0
100.0
14
3 0
46.7
100.0
when the individual becomes sexually mature. These negativistic tendencies are
partly due to the biological changes taking place in the body. The common
negative attitudes and behaviour manifested by adolescents include desire for
isolation, boredom, incoordination, social antagonism, loss of self confidence and
excessive modesty. Tendency to withdraw from others, remaining unco-operative
and disagreeable and being extremely critical of everything are usual behavioural
panerns manifested by adolescents. The extent of negativistic attitude and behaviour
influence the development of adolescents as mature adults. The degree of negativism
shown by adolescents of this study is given below.
Table 7.19
Freedom from Negativism of Adolescents
More than half of adolescent children in the pure double track (70
per cent) and interrupted double track (53.3 per cent) families exhibit or~ly average
level of freedom From negativism. Those exhibiting average level of negativism
among adolescents of traditional single earner families constitute only 30 per cent
of all adolescents. 70 per cent of children in traditional single earner families
exhibit a high level of freedom of negativistic attitudes and behaviour.
These findings indicate that more adolescent children in traditional
single earner families are free from negative attitudes and behaviour compared to
the adolescent children of dual earner families. This could be due to the lack of
common family activities and experiences prevalent in a dual earner family set-up.
N. Freedom from Nervous Symptoms
Presence of neurotic symptoms like anxiety, fear, sadness,
apprehension, irritability, forgetfulness, nightmares, fatigability etc, are indications
of inner psychological distress experienced by an individual. When these symptoms
are present, they incapacitate the individual in his level of competence. Nervous
symptoms are considered clear-cut indication of mental ill-health. The extent of
freedom enjoyed by adolescents from different nervous symptoms hence indicate
their mental health. Keeping this in mind the level of Freedom from nervous
symptoms of adolescent is measured.
Table 7.20
Freedom from Nervous Symptoms
- Freedom from
N~
I - 1 I I I
I - I I I I I
/ TOTAL 1 30 1 100.0 1 30 1 100.0 1 I
30 1 100.0
IDT
Nervous
Symptoms
1 - I I I I I I
The data as given in the above table indicate the differences among
adolescents on their freedom from nervous symptoms across the three family
groups. A majority of adolescents in the dual earner families exhibit only an average
level of freedom from negative symptoms. The picture is very different in case of
adolescent children of traditional single earner families. In these families two
2
PDT
NO
Low
TSE
YO
Average
--
20
--
66.7
-- -- 26 86.7 10 33.3
third of children exhibit a high degree of freedom from nervous symptoms. The
lowest degrees of freedom from nervous symptoms is manifested by the adolescents
of pure double track families.
0. Freedom from Withdrawing Tendencies
Behavioural features of adolescence are characterized by
withdrawing tendencies like preference for isolation, introverted tendencies,
shyness and keeping aloof These withdrawal tendencies are partly due to the
biological changes taking place in one's body. Concern about appearance, lack of
emotional maturity, nervousness and irritabiliiy are all significant factors in
determining how socializing an adolescent will be. Excessive concern about changes
in body, especially secondary sex characteristics, force most adolescents to keep
aloof from others. The degree of extroversion seen among adolescents is usually
considered an important indicator of their ability to accept one's own body and to
adjust to the changing demands of developmental periods. The following table
highlights the level of freedom from withdrawing tendencies seen among
adolescents of this study.
Table 7.21
Freedom from Withdrawing Tendencies
1 1 Freedom from / IDT I PDT I TSE I Withdrawing
Tendencies
I TOTAL 30 100.0 3 0 100.0 30 100.0
1
2
NO
--
20
Low
Average
YO NO YO
--
66.7
--
23
--
76.7
-- 8
-- 26.7
Two third of adolescents in the interrupted double track families and
three fourth of adolescents in the pure double track families exhibit average degree
of freedom from withdrawing tendencies. As in the other variables of child mental
health, almost three fourth of adolescents in the traditional single earner families
exhibit a high degree of freedom from withdrawing tendencies.
P. Concept of Degree of Freedom
The extent of freedom enjoyed by adolescents usually is qorrelated
with their ability to take rules and regulation in a positive light. Adolescence is a
period when children question the restrictions put on them. They argue for more
liberal ways of controlling their behaviour and enter into differences of opinion with
parents on the child training methods. The extent of quarrels and disagreements
will be more if they hold liberal views on rules and regulations. And the frequency
with which they quarrel with authorities and other elders is an indicator of their
inability to accommodate restrictions. The following table indicates the concept of
degrees of freedom of adolescents of this study.
Table 7.22
Concept of Degrees of Freedom of Adolescents -
- I 1 I I I
1 I Low I -- -- -- -- -- I--:-(
Concept of
N~
I - I 1 TOTAL
I I I I 3 0 1 100.0 1 30 1 1OO:O 1 30
IDT
Degrees of
Freedom
Average - 3
The table highlights the difference between adolescent children of
traditional single earner families and dual earner families. The concept of degree
PDT
25
5
TSE
NO Yo
83.3
16.7
NO Yo NO
7
23
Yo
23.3
76.7
freedom of children in interrupted double track as well as pure double track families
in majority of instances is moderate. However, there are 76.7 per cent cbildren in
traditional single earner families who hold high concept of degree of freedom.
These findings suggest that children in traditional single earner families
accommodate more with restrictions imposed on them compared to those of dual
earner families This could be partly explained by the orthodox values held by the
members of traditional single earner families.
Q. Mental Health Status of Adolescents
The overall mental health status of adolescents is calculated by adding
up the scores obtained by them on the different variables of child mental health.
The total score indicates the extent of well-being experienced by adolescents in
different spheres of their life. The following table summarizes the overall mental
health status of adolescents in three family groups.
Table 7.23
Mental Health Status of Adolescents
As is reflected in this table, children of traditional single earner
families enjoy a higher level of mental health compared to the other two groups.
83.3 per cent of adolescents in this family group enjoy a high mental health status
compared to 63.3 in interrupted double track families and a meager 16.7 per cent in
the pure double track families. Adolescents in pure double track families enjoy
the lowest level mental health status, as a great majority of them possess only
average level of mental health.
The striking differences between the three groups of this study could
be attributed to the family environment existing in these families. In pure double
track families there is less commitment of parents to their parental role ana hence,
offer lesser degrees of guidance and support to their children. Whereas, the parents
in traditional single earner families are highly committed to their parental role
and give high priority to the life skill development of their children. These
families are more cohesive as there is high degree of sharing and feeling of
oneness. In such an environment children feel more secure and optimistic.
Lack of guidance in life skill development usually puts children in a
highly disadvantaged position, as they are likely to experience rejection, insecurity,
and uncertainty regarding future. Different aspects of the psychic life of these
children get affected in an unfavorable family environment. Dual earner families of
both types have more children with comparatively lower levels of mental health.
Occupational commitment of both parents adversely affect the mental health of
children in these families.
To understand the significance of difference between the three groups
on different variables of mental health ANOVA test was performed. The following
table highlights the significance of difference between the three groups.
- - - -- - ~ -. -~ -
Figure 7.1 MENTAL HEALTH STATUS OF ADOLESCENTS
PDT TSE
Table 7.24
Inter-group Comparison of Mental Health of Adolescents
Factors
Freedom
The mental health status of adolescents is the highest among
adolescents of traditional single earner families and the lowest among adolescents
of pure double track families. On different dimensions of mental health,
adolescents in intermpted double track score high on regularity pf habits,
emotional maturity, recreational pursuits, mastery of environment and positive
attitude towards self. On all the other eleven dimensions children of traditional single
earner families score high. The striking finding of this table is that on all
dimensions of mental health, children in pure double track families score lower in
comparison to those of the other two family groups.
Comparison of children over different dimensions of mental health
reveal that children in intermpted double track score high on regularity of habits (r = 6.53). adaptability (il= 6.40), positive attitude towards others (Y= 6.40). emotional
maturity 6 = 6 37) recreational pursuits (X = 6.37 ), and freedom from negativism (%
= 6.37). These children scored low on optimism (K=S.80),social conformity (X= 5.93)
and freedom from nervous symptoms (Z = 6.07).
Children of pure double track family score comparatively higher on
positive attitude towards others (?= 6.06), freedom from negativism (Z = 5.87). and
emotional maturity (F = 5.83). Children in traditional single earner families score
higher on freedom from nervous symptoms (X = =.SO), concept of degree of freedom
(T= 6.80). freedom from negativism (Z = 6.73) and sense of security (Ti = 6.63).
The ANOVA test performed to find out the significance of difference
between the three groups indicate that the three groups significantly differ on the
overall mental health status. On different dimensions of child mental health except
on two dimensions i.e., emotional maturity and positive attitude towards others,
adolescents in all the three family groups showed significant difference. These
findings prove the hypothesis of this study that the mental health status of
adolescents vary significantly according to the family groups to which they belong.
PART III : RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN MARITAL QUALITY AND
MENTAL HEALTH OF CHILDREN
One of the hypotheses of this study is that there is direct relationship
between quality of marital life of couples and mental health of children. This
hypothesis was framed based on the findings of earlier research that quality of
marital life of parents affect the psychological health of children. For this purpose,
the score of couples on the marital quality scale is correlated with children's score
on mental health status scale. Since only families in the third family devel'opmental
stage had adolescent children, the marital quality score of couples in this family
developmental stage only is considered for the correlation purpose. Karl Pearson's
coefficient of correlation was calculated for the total score of marital quality of
couples and the total score of mental health of children. The results are given in the
table below.
Table 7.25
Relationship between Marital Quality and Mental Health of Children
I Variables 1 Mean I SD I rvalue 1
tMental Health Status of Children I
97.7556 8.1286 1 P=OOOI ( ~ C o u p Y s Marital Quality
I I I
The r value of 0.5448 is significant at 0.0001 significance level.
Hence it can be safely concluded that mental health of children is directly related to
the quality of marital life of parents. The vital components of high quality marital
life viz., satisfaction, understanding, trust, equality, affection, self-disclosure etc.
create a conducive environment in the family that nourishes the mental health of
children in such families. Similarly, indicators of poor quality marriage viz.,
rejection, despair, discontent, dissolution potential, dominance etc. adversely affect
the mental health of children.
93.7167 10.5700 0.5448
CONCLUSION
An attempt is made in this chapter to understand the socio-economic
background of children in traditional single earner as well as dual earner families,
and to assess the mental health status of adolescent children in these families.
Background information of children viz., age, sex and educational status indicate that
the three groups are equal except in the sex composition of children in different
family groups. The data pertaining to the sex composition of children reveal that
sex ratio is quite imbalanced in the traditional single eamer families. There is a ten
percent difference between the two sexes in these families. The sex ratio is
favorable for boys in traditional single eamer as well as pure double track families.
Data on the mental health status of children were collected using
Mental Health Status Scale. The findings in this regard reveal that adolescents in
traditional single earner families enjoy a higher level of mental health compared to
those of pure double track and interrupted double track families. On all the 16
dimensions of mental health, adolescents in pure double track families scored low
compared to their counterparts in the other two family types. Adolescents of
traditional single earner families scored high on 11 of the 16 dimensions of child
mental health.
The ANOVA test results on the scores obtained by adolescents
indicate statistically significant difference between the three groups on the total
mental health status as well as 14 of the 16 dimensions of child mental health. The
two dimensions where children of the three groups did not differ were emotional
maturity and positive attitude towards others. Scheffe's multiple range test to
identify the pair which is significantly different from the other has indicated that all
the three groups significantly differ from the other groups at 0.05 significance level.
The hypothesis that there is direct relationship between quality of
marital life of parents and mental health of children was tested through Karl
Pearson's Coefficient of correlation. The results indicate that there is direct
relationship between the two variables and that the relationship is significant at
0.000 1 signilficance level.
The conclusion of this study pertaining to the mental health of
adolescent children is that those in the traditional single earner families possess a
higher level of mental health compared to children in dual earner families. This
finding endorses the findings of Lambert, (1984) and Nye and Nye, (1974). Lambert
in his study on children of working mothers observed that parental workload of
working mothers adversely affect the growing child.
Nye and Nye, (1974) in their study on working mothers found that
separation of children in dual earner families, from their parents for most of the
day, lead to maternal deprivation. Maternal employment in the early years of
children is hypothesized to lead to some degrees of maternal deprivation. Glenn,
(1983) has also reported that attenuation of parent-child tie in dual earner families
adversely affect the personality development of children.
Characteristic features of maternal employment viz., work load, work
timings, work conditions, job responsibilities etc. exert negative influences on the
growing child's psychological development. Mother's absence from home for long
hours has adverse effects on the intimacy development of the child (Hurlock, 1986).
When mothers in dual earner families do not spend enough time on meeting
different needs of their children nurturance and' life skill development of children
usually get affected. Amount of parental supervision and guidance enhance the
psychological well-being of children in traditional single earner families.
