Exploring the relationship between working mothers and their nannies
Item
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Title
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Exploring the relationship between working mothers and their nannies
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Identifier
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d_2009_2013:5d6be055cd3d:11479
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identifier
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11928
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Creator
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Gottesfeld, Aaryn Post,
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Contributor
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Peter Fraenkel
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Date
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2012
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Language
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English
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Publisher
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City University of New York.
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Subject
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Clinical psychology | caregivers | Mothers | Nannies | paid caregivers | Working Mothers
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Abstract
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This qualitative study explores working mothers' relationship with their child(ren)'s nannies (paid domestic caregivers who care for the child in the family home). The purpose of this study was as follows: 1) to shed light on aspects of the mother-nanny relationship that have not yet been explored in the existing literature; 2) to discern important issues regarding this relationship to inform clinicians who work with this population; 3) to illustrate salient themes that will inform further research with working mothers like those interviewed for this study.;The participants included 11 women between the ages of 31 and 40 who worked full-time (at least 40 hours per week) and had at least one child less than 12 months old being cared for at home by a nanny. Data was collected through an in-depth, semi-structured interview that averaged 52 minutes in length. The instrument was developed to focus on the experience of working mothers along four domains: (1) What is a mother's conception of herself as a mother and as a professional, and how does this affect the relationship with her nanny? (2) What is the nature of mothers' relationships with their nannies and how and why do mothers maintain these relationships? (3) What is the relationship between each mother and her own mother, and how does the nature of this relationship affect the mother's relationship with nanny? (4) What is mother's understanding of nanny's relationship with the child and how does this impact the mom and her relationship with her nanny? In addition, a demographics questionnaire was administered.;The interview was designed to elicit information regarding women's thoughts and feelings about their relationship with their nannies. Topics regarding women's professional lives and their relationships with their own mothers were also explored. Using grounded theory, major themes regarding aspects of the mother-nanny relationship were derived from close examination of the interview transcripts. These themes were organized around the four domains described previously. Discussion centers on describing prominent issues in the mother-nanny relationship and how these relate to the caregiving behavioral system, the mother's relationship with her mother, as well as cultural considerations.;The small sample size and homogeneity of participants limits the application of these findings to the broader population of working mothers. However, this research suggests new ways of thinking about women's struggle to balance work and family both practically and intrapsychically. It looks at the mother-nanny relationship as it relates to theories of attachment, points out possible gaps in the literature regarding motherhood, and suggests areas for future research.
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Type
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dissertation
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Source
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2009_2013.csv
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degree
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Ph.D.
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Program
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Psychology
