A Comparative Study of Parent-Child Relationship and Child Mental Development in Kerala: Families with Both Parents Working versus Families with One Parent Working
Abstract: The present study examined parent-child relationship and selected indicators of child mental development in Kerala by comparing families in which both parents were employed with families in which one parent was employed. The study focused on children aged 5-10 years and assessed emotional expression, comfort in sharing problems, peer interaction, behavioural difficulties, academic performance, emotional recovery, conflict handling, social participation, empathy, parental time and caregiving characteristics. The supplied survey dataset contained 134 raw responses. After consent and eligibility screening, 109 responses were eligible; seven eligible responses reporting unemployment were excluded from the planned two-group comparison, leaving 102 cases (61 both-parents-employed; 41 one parent-employed). Descriptive statistics were used for participant characteristics and child development indicators. Chi-square tests were used for categorical comparisons, and a Mann-Whitney U test was used for a researcher-developed composite indicator based on 14 coded questionnaire indicators. The composite did not differ significantly between groups (U = 1314.0, p = .666). Number of children in the family (p = .004) and empathy (p = .041) showed nominally significant group associations. These findings require cautious interpretation because the study used an online/convenience sample, a researcher developed questionnaire, parent/guardian reports, and multiple individual comparisons. Overall, the data do not demonstrate a statistically significant difference in the overall set of measured developmental indicators by parental employment category.
Keywords: parent-child relationship; parental employment; child development; Kerala; caregiving; emotional development; social development
How to Cite?: Remya Raju, "A Comparative Study of Parent-Child Relationship and Child Mental Development in Kerala: Families with Both Parents Working versus Families with One Parent Working", Volume 15 Issue 10, October 2026, International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR), Pages: 120-123, https://www.ijsr.net/getabstract.php?paperid=MR261001121159, DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.21275/MR261001121159