DSW Showcase Student Presentation

Unpaid maternity leave remains a pressing social issue in the United States with profound implications for the mental health of mothers and the developmental well-being of infants. This capstone project examines the intersection of public policy, mental health, and early childhood outcomes, highlighting how unpaid leave exacerbates stress, postpartum depression, and economic insecurity for mothers while compromising the critical bonding period essential for infant development. The SLR underscores how the absence of paid leave correlates with adverse outcomes, including increased maternal stress, higher rates of postpartum depression, disrupted maternal-infant attachment, and long-term developmental challenges for infants. Findings reveal how unpaid leave disproportionately impacts vulnerable populations, including low-income and minority families, amplifying inequities in maternal mental health and economic stability. Drawing from attachment theory, systems theory, and intersectionality, the CP explores the societal undervaluation of caregiving and maternal labor, framing unpaid maternity leave as a structural contributor to cycles of disadvantage that perpetuate inequities in health and social outcomes. The absence of paid leave policies reflects the societal undervaluation of caregiving and maternal labor, perpetuating cycles of disadvantage. Translating research findings into practice, the AP presents actionable strategies for clinical social workers and policymakers. By illuminating the societal and psychological consequences of unpaid maternity leave, this capstone emphasizes the critical role of clinical social workers in addressing these challenges, from providing direct clinical services to advocating for change.