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Maternal and Child Health Journal
Published in: Maternal and Child Health Journal 6/2016

01-06-2016

Maternity Leave Access and Health: A Systematic Narrative Review and Conceptual Framework Development

Authors: Ellie Andres, Sarah Baird, Jeffrey Bart Bingenheimer, Anne Rossier Markus

Published in: Maternal and Child Health Journal | Issue 6/2016

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Abstract

Background Maternity leave is integral to postpartum maternal and child health, providing necessary time to heal and bond following birth. However, the relationship between maternity leave and health outcomes has not been formally and comprehensively assessed to guide public health research and policy in this area. This review aims to address this gap by investigating both the correlates of maternity leave utilization in the US and the related health benefits for mother and child. Methods We searched the peer-reviewed scholarly literature using six databases for the years 1990 to early 2015 and identified 37 studies to be included in the review. We extracted key data for each of the included studies and assessed study quality using the “Weight of the Evidence” approach. Results The literature generally confirms a positive, though limited correlation between maternity leave coverage and utilization. Likewise, longer maternity leaves are associated with improved breastfeeding intentions and rates of initiation, duration and predominance as well as improved maternal mental health and early childhood outcomes. However, the literature points to important disparities in access to maternity leave that carry over into health outcomes, such as breastfeeding. Synthesis We present a conceptual framework synthesizing what is known to date related to maternity leave access and health outcomes.
Footnotes
1
Internationally, the US is conspicuous for its meager maternity leave protections. Among the five largest developed countries, the US offers the shortest and only unpaid federal leave policy. Likewise, even among less-developed nations, the US is in the minority for its limited maternity leave protections both in terms of length and compensation. Given the US’s idiosyncrasy in this area, this paper focuses on studies specific to the US context and comparative conclusions are beyond the scope of this paper.
 
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Metadata
Title
Maternity Leave Access and Health: A Systematic Narrative Review and Conceptual Framework Development
Authors
Ellie Andres
Sarah Baird
Jeffrey Bart Bingenheimer
Anne Rossier Markus
Publication date
01-06-2016
Publisher
Springer US
Published in
Maternal and Child Health Journal / Issue 6/2016
Print ISSN: 1092-7875
Electronic ISSN: 1573-6628
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10995-015-1905-9

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