Child Labor in Guatemalan Children: An International Pilot Study of the Emotional Effects and Consequences

Abstract

ABSTRACT This pilot study compared 43 Guatemalan children who were working and going to school with another 43 socioeconomically similar children who were in school but were not enrolled in the labor force. The children were assessed using the Coopersmith Self-esteem Inventory, the Child Depression Inventory (CDI), and several open-ended questions during a face-to-face interview. Results showed that, although the group of working children evidenced lower self-esteem and a higher level of depression, the only statistically significant difference was on negative self-esteem, one of the subscales of the CDI. The results could guide the development of interventions programs for working children.