Parent–child interaction: The influence of maternal employment.

Data were collected from 40 mother–father–preschool child triads, including 20 employed and 20 nonemployed mothers. Information from the Parent-Child Activity Questionnaire, in-home unstructured observations, play task observations, and observer ratings indicated that maternal employment did not significantly alter the role specialization observed in single earner families. Mothers exhibited more caretaking, quiet play, positive affect, and speaking, whereas fathers exhibited more active play. Parents from single earner families demonstrated more speaking and quiet play than parents from dual earner families. Sons received more attention in families with nonemployed mothers, whereas daughters received more attention in families with employed mothers. Parents from families with employed mothers had more favorable attitudes toward dual roles for women. There was increased negative affect in families experiencing incongruence between parents' attitudes and the mother's employment status. (24 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)