The Effects of Work-Child Education Conflict on Parenting Role Competence of Working Mothers of Second Graders: Focus on the Moderating Effect of Mother-Child Identification

초등학교 2학년 자녀를 둔 취업모의 일-자녀교육 갈등이 모의 양육 수행 역량에 미치는 영향: 모의 부모-자녀 동일시의 조절효과를 중심으로

ObjectivesThe purpose of this study was to examine the moderating effect of mother-child identification on the relationship between work-child education conflict and parenting role competence.MethodsDescriptive statistics, Pearson’s correlation, and hierarchical regression were used to analyze data on 155 mothers of children aged 8 years from the Panel Study of Korean Parental Educational Involvement (PSKPEI) in 2018 (2nd year).ResultsFirst, the work-child education conflict of mothers had a significant negative influence on their parenting role competence. Second, the mother-child identification had a significant positive effect on their parenting role competence. Finally, the moderating effect of work-child education conflict and mother-child identification on parenting role competence was significant. A working mother with a high level of mother-child identification represented a relatively high level of parenting role competence, even though they experienced severe work-child education conflict.ConclusionIn the background of a Korean culture where parents identify with their children, this study revealed how much working mothers are willing to make sacrifices for their children, even though work-child education is incompatible. It also proposed the need for policy and social support to assist them as parents.