Child Care Related Guilt Complex Perceived among Employed Mothers

A descriptive co-relational study was conducted with an aim to assess the guilt complex of employed mothers towards child care at Ernakulam district, Kerala state, India. Mothers employed in public and private sectors were selected based on the predefined selection criteria. Data was collected using researcher-developed, validated, self administered questionnaire for a period of 5 weeks. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The study revealed a high mean guilt complex score among mothers employed in private sectors than who employed in public sectors and having children aged 1-3 years; though this was not statistically significant. A statistically significant association was found between guilt complex and socio demographic variables such as ‘monthly income’ (p=0.001), number of children (p=0.004), hours of work (p=0.001), nature of duty (p=0.004), resumed job after child birth (F=0.493, p=0.004). Increased job-demands and family role conflicts would seriously be considered while formulating mental health care services for the employed women.