Comparative assessment of emotional problems among preschool children of working and non-working mothers in urban India

Background: Maternal employment has become increasingly prevalent in India, altering traditional caregiving dynamics and raising concerns about its impact on children’s emotional development. Preschool years (3-6 years) are particularly critical for emotional regulation and behavioral adjustment. Objectives: To compare emotional problems among children (3-6 years) of working and non-working mothers in an urban Indian setting and examine associations with selected socio-demographic factors. Methods: A descriptive-comparative design was adopted involving 100 mother-child dyads (50 working mothers and 50 non-working mothers) from Mahanadi Bihar, Cuttack, Odisha. Emotional problems were assessed using standardized tools: the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) and the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL). Data were analyzed using SPSS v26, employing descriptive statistics, t-tests, and chi-square tests at p0.05). Conclusion: Maternal employment was associated with mild increases in children’s emotional difficulties, though these remained within normative bounds. Emotional well-being depended more on caregiving consistency and emotional responsiveness than on maternal employment status. Early screening and family-centered emotional support interventions are recommended.