RAJIV GANDHI UNIVERSITY OF HEALTH SCIENCES,

KARNATAKA, BANGALORE.

ANNEXURE - II

PROFORMA FOR REGISTRSTION OF SUBJECTS FOR DISSERTATION

1 / Name of the candidate
and address(in block letters) / Mr.HARIKRISHNAN.U
SAHYADRI COLLEGE OF NURSING,
SAHYADRI CAMPUS, NH-48, ADYAR, MANGALORE-575007.
2 / Name of the institution / SAHYADRI COLLEGE OF NURSING,
SAHYADRI CAMPUS, NH-48, ADYAR,
MANGALORE-575007.
3 / Course of study and subject / M.Sc. NURSING; COMMUNITY HEALTH NURSING
4 / Date of admission to course /
25-10-2010
5 / Title of the topic:
A COMPARATIVE STUDY TO ASSESS THE SCHOOL PERFORMANCE OF CHILDREN OF THE WORKING AND NON WORKING WOMEN IN SELECTED SCHOOLS AT MANGALORE
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8 / BRIEF RESUME OF THE INTENDED WORK
Introduction
Mothers implies the women who delivered the child and rear them. The first name which comes from baby’s mouth is ‘ma’. Mother is the first teacher of a child. Mother is the person who takes care of child’s nutrition, hygiene, education than anyone else in the family. She feeds the baby with breast milk which is the ideal nutrition for the baby1 .Mother gives birth to a baby by suffering the labour pain. Children are more depend on their mothers than their fathers. The mother only knows about good and bad things about their children. .Mothers have a good influence on the character development of their children.
Along with child rearing mothers take up job outside the home environment. Children are more attached to their mothers during child hood. The performance of the children will be affected by the factor whether their mothers are working or not. The mothers can influence the children in many ways. Mother’s presence can affect the mental health, cognitive development ,personality traits and physical health of the children. This can affect the school performance of the children also. Studies have stated that early maternal employment is associated with positive or negative child outcomes2.
6.1 Need for the study
The children of working and non working women differ in several areas. The nutritional needs of children will vary according to the maternal employment. In the case of mothers with full time employment they cannot prepare the food at home .So they need to have fast foods from outside. It will cause health problems and can lead to obesity among children. Maternal employment may have variable effects on preschool children’s health3.
A study was conducted to investigate the relation between maternal employment and child’s socio emotional behaviour at the age 5 years in UK. The cumulative effect of maternal employment across the early years was investigated. The impact of maternal employment in the first year of life was separately examined as a potentially 'sensitive period'. Results reveal that there was no evidence of detrimental effects of maternal employment in the early years on subsequent child socio-emotional behaviour. There were significant gender differences in the effects of parental employment on behavioural outcomes. There were important gender differences in relationships between parental working arrangements and child socio-emotional outcomes4.
Mother’s employment will also affect the mental status of children. In case of working mothers there may be a chance of getting psychological problems like loneliness, anxiety and behavioural problems. Cognitive development of the children will also change according to their mothers employment. Working women cannot pay much attention towards the studies of their children. So the communication and sharing of feelings to the mothers will be low in the case of working women. The working mothers had better mental health and reported less depression than non working mothers, whereas non working mothers were having lack of social life5.
The effect of maternal employment on school performance of the children is challenging to identify. Maternal employment during infancy and childhood in relation to 2 major domains of child functioning: achievement and behaviour problems. In developing countries, employment rates of mothers with young children are relatively low. Recent investigation of the relation between maternal employment and stability of infant attachment have implied that maternal employment introduces a stressful, unpredictable element into family life6.
The investigator have observed that the children of working mothers tend to be socially less adjusted and obtain low grades at school. This impact is not severe as what occurs if the mother does not work. As the investigator himself had experienced mother’s job and his performance was relatively low compared to other classmates. So the investigator felt the need to compare the factors which influence the school performance of children.
6.2 Review of literature
A survey study was conducted in USA to find out the association between maternal work hours and adolescent’s school outcomes among low income families in four urban countries. Data were collected from interviews between 1998 and 2001 among 1700 women who are single mothers of adolescent between the age of 12-18 years. It was found that there was an unfavourable effect on several aspects of adolescent schooling. Full time maternal employment(31 hours or more per week)increases likelihood of skipping school, decreases the school performance, and increases the likely hood of parent contact by the school, .Sons seem to be particularly sensitive to changes in mother’s average hours of work, with notable increase in the incidences of being late for school and declines in school performance when mothers work more hours. These findings hold up controlling for a rich array of mothers characteristics, including their psychological , physical health and experience with domestic violence and substance abuse, as well as unobserved time-invariant characteristics of the adolescent7.
A comparative study was conducted to find out the behavioural adjustment of pre-adolescent children of working and non working mothers. Sample consisted of 120 pre adolescent children who were further divided into three groups(A)Pre adolescent children of working mothers(B)Pre adolescent children of non working mothers(C)Groups of pre adolescent children divided on the basis of gender(Boys&girls) of both working and non working mothers.Pre adolescent adjustment scale(P.A.A.S) was administered to know about the adjustment level of the children. Analysis of data revealed the mean score of pre adolescent girl(19.17) was found to be more than boys(10.33) among pre-adolescent girls and boys of working mothers. The mean score of pre adolescent girl were high in comparison to pre adolescent boys in non working mothers. Whenever all comparison was done between the pre adolescent children of working and non working mothers in group(C) ,the mean score of girls(18.30)was found to be much higher in comparison to boys(9.38).Findings revealed significant difference among three groups and girls were found to be having higher adjustment level in all groups(A,B,C) compared to boys8.
A study was conducted on anxiety and it’s effect on academic achievement of adolescent boys and girls of non working women at Kanpur city. The researcher selected 80 boys and 80 girls of 160 non working women from 31 schools by stratified random sampling method. To measure the anxiety the standardised test (I.P.A.T) by Dr.S.D Kapoor was used. In order to know academic achievement of students high school mark sheet was used. Results shows there is negative correlation between anxiety and academic achievement of boys and girls of non working women.
A study was conducted to examine the linkage between the mother’s work& child health at a rural village in Tamilnadu .The data were collected from 75 working and 75 non working women. The results shows that the working mothers spend on an average1.7 hours less than non working women on child care. The morbidity rates were higher for the children of working women than for the children of non working women. Logistic regression analysis showed that children of working women are at a significantly greater risk of morbidity even when socio economic factors are controlled9.
A study was conducted to examine the emotional profile and need for achievement of the only child of working and non working mothers. A purposive sample consisted of 100 adolescent girls(50 of working mothers&50 of non working mothers)was drawn from different education institutes. Emotional aspect and need for achievement were assessed with three standardised test, the eight state questionnaire (8SQ), Emotional maturity scale and achievement motivation scale. Findings revealed that only children of working mothers scored slightly higher than the children of non working mothers on measures of achievement but they showed more signs and symptoms of emotional disorders and interpersonal deficits10.
A study was conducted to investigate associations between mothers' employment (full, part time and no employment) and nutrition habits (regularity of breakfast, snack, dinner, meal speed and portion size) in a sample of Japanese junior high schoolchildren, 12-13 years of age.A total of 10 453 children aged 12-13 years from the Toyama birth cohort study (fourth phase) were selected. Among that 8906 children (89% response rate) responded to all questions related to the examined variables. Nutrition habits consisted of breakfast, snack, dinner, meal speed and meal portion. Children's obesity/overweight was measured by body mass index (BMI).Fathers' employment had no effect on their children's nutrition patterns. Children of full-time employed mothers were the most likely to skip the dinner. Children of part-time employed mothers ate larger meal portions, and those of non-employed mothers reported faster meal speeds. BMI was significantly (P<0.001) higher among children of full-time employed mothers (19.3), and lowest among non-employed mothers (19.00). Children of full-time employed mothers are more likely to be overweight, but not obese compared with other children.There was a strong relationship between mother's employment and nutrition patterns in this cohort of Japanese schoolchildren11.
A study was conducted to assess the behavioural problems of infants living with employed co resident parents. Longitudinal survey, birth cohort were selected for the study. They were assessed using infant-toddler symptom checklist at the second phase. Infants with at least one parent who works nonstandard hours have significantly more behaviour problems than the infants with parents who both work regular day shifts. This relationship is partly accounted for by shift work's negative association with father-child interaction, marital quality, the frequency of shared family dinners, and parental health, including paternal depression. The results also indicate that shift work has larger effects on children's behaviour when mothers, rather than fathers, work nonstandard shifts, and when mothers' day shifts regularly oppose fathers' evenings/night shift12.
A study was conducted at Slovakia and Netherland to explore the effect of father’s and mother’s employment status on several aspects of adolescent’s health. Two groups were selected; 2616 Slovak adolescents (mean age 14.9) and 2054 Dutch adolescents (mean age 16.3). Self-rated health, GHQ-12, long-term well-being and Rosenberg self-esteem scale were used to assess the health of adolescents. Parental employment status was classified into the following categories: employed, unemployed, disabled, housewife (among mothers only). Logistic regression analyses were done separately for males and females..To conclude briefly the results, father's unemployment seems to be a better predictor of health for Slovak adolescents, father's disablement of health for Dutch ones. Mother's employment status seemed to be important for the self-esteem of Slovak adolescents and mother as a housewife for the health of Dutch ones. This suggests that the link between parental employment status and the health of their children may vary between countries13.
6.3 Problem statement
A Comparative study to assess the school performance of children of working and non working women in selected schools at Mangalore.
6.4 Objectives of the study
The objectives of the study are
·  Assess the school performance of children of the working women.
·  Assess the school performance of children of the non working women.
·  Compare the school performance of children of the working and non working women.
·  Find the association between the school performance of the children and selected demographic variables.
6.5 Operational definition
School performance
In this study it refers to the performance of the children at school which include health status, attendance, academic performance, performance at sports and cultural events and personality traits
Children of working women
In this study it refers to the women who are working in public or private sectors and whose children studying in 6th and 7th standards in selected higher primary schools at Mangalore.
Children of nonworking women
In this study it refers to the women who take care of household chores and having children studying in 6th and 7th standards in selected higher primary schools at Mangalore.
6.6 Assumption
The study assumes that:
·  Each individual child differs in school performance.
·  Mother’s involvements influence the performance of children.
6.7 Delimitation
The study is limited to:
·  School children studying at 6th and 7th standards
·  Selected schools at Mangalore.
·  School performance of the children
6.8 Hypothesis(All the hypothesis will be tested at 0.05 level of significance)
H1 : There will be significant difference between school performance of children
of the working and non working women ..
H2: There will be association between school performance of children and
selected demographic variables.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
7.1 Source of data:
School children studying in 6th and 7th standard and their records maintained by selected higher primary schools at Mangalore
7.1.1 Research design
A non experimental comparative survey design will be used as research design .
7.1.2 Setting:
The study will be conducted in selected higher primary schools at Mangalore.
7.1.3 Population:
School children studying in 6th and 7th standards in selected higher primary schools at Mangalore.
7.2 Method of data collection:
7.2.1 Sampling procedure:
Non probability convenient sampling technique will be used to select the sample.
7.2.2 Sample size:
The sample size consists of 100 children, Of which 50 children of working women and 50 children of non working women. .
7.2.3 Inclusion criteria:
Inclusion criteria include
·  Children those who are studying in 6th and 7th standard at school
·  Children living with their mother
·  Children who are willing to participate in the study.
7.2.4 Exclusion criteria:
Exclusion criteria for sampling include :
·  Children who are staying in hostel and with their local guardians..
·  Children who are not available at the time of data collection
7.2.5 Instrument intended to be used
·  Demographic proforma
·  Rating scale to assess the school performance of children
7.2.6 Data collection methods:
§  Permission will be obtained from concerned authorities.
§  The purpose of the study will be explained to children and informed consent will be obtained from parents.
§  Select 50 children of working and 50 children of non working women studying in 6th and 7th standards.
§  Assess the weight, height of the children and calculate the BMI.
§  Review the school records of children and assess the school performance using rating scale.
§  Compare the performance of children of working and non Working women
7.2.7 Data analysis plan:
·  Demographic data will be analysed using descriptive statistics such as frequency, mean, mode, standard deviation
·  Comparison of school performance of children in working and non working women will be analysed using unpaired ‘t’ test.
·  Association of school performance and selected demographic variable will be analysed using chi square test.
7.3 Does the study require any investigations or interventions to be conducted on patients or other humans or animals?
NO
7.4 Has ethical clearance been obtained from your institution in case of 7.3?
YES. Ethical clearance will be obtained from the concerned institution.
REFERENCES
1.  Park K.Text book of preventive and social medicine.20th edition.Banarsidas bhanot publishers.2005;462

2.  Thompson LRG,Goldberg WA,Prause J. Maternal work early in the lives of children and its distal associations with achievement and behavior problems: a meta-analysis.Psychological bulletin.2010 ;136(6):915-942

3.  Mindline M,Jenkins.R,Law C. Maternal employment and indicators of child health: a systematic review in pre-school children in OECD countries.Epidemiol community health.2009; 63(5):340-350

4.  Mcmunna L,Kelly Y,Cable N.Maternal employment and child socio emotional behavior in UK.Epidemoil community health.2011.

5.  Rout UR,Cooper CL,Kerslake H. Working and non-working Mothers; A comparative study. Women in management review.1997;12(7):264- 275.

6.  Owen MT,Easterbrooks MA,Lansdale CL,Goldberg WA. The relation between maternal employment status and the stability of attachments to mother and to father. Child development.1984; 55(5):1894-1901.

7.  Lisa A,Leonard M ,Andrew S .Maternal work hours and adolescent’s school outcomes among low income families in four urban countries.National poverty centre working paper series.2007;7(1):1-43.

8.  Sharma R, Dharmawat M.Behavioral adjustment of pre adolescent children of working and non working mothers. Indian journal social science researches.2009; 6(1):118-121.

9.  Sivakami M.Female work participation and child health. .Health transition review7.1997;21-32.