Factors that Affect Attachment between the Employed Mother and the Child, Infancy to Two Years

To explore a mother's feeling of attachment and the affects her working status on the attachment relationship with her child, upon ethical clearance from the institutional ethics committee, in-depth interviews of nine participants were conducted. Mothers enrolled were those who resumed the employment within the first year of post-delivery and were having a child up to two years of age. Results revealed that maternal employment itself does not enhance or deteriorate attachment with the child. It is combinations of factors that revolve around it impact on their bond.  Overall, maternal integration or the balance of the dual roles of employment and motherhood is critical in the development of a sound and secure attachment between the employed mother and the child.