The purpose of this study was to examine a broad range of variables that predict maternal self-efficacy with a sample of 92 Korean working mothers whose infants are cared for at non-maternal child care settings. In addition, differences between mothers of infants on welfare roll and their socioeconomic status (SES) counterparts (not on welfare) were investigated in the study variables of interest. Several important results were obtained. A unique variance in the maternal self-efficacy scores was found in both the individuals demographic variables (explained by maternal age and maternal education) and psychological state (explained by the mothers' perceived parenting stress). Also, significant differences were detected between the two subgroups by SES (on welfare versus not on welfare). The mothers living in poverty tended to report that they perceived more confidence in parenting than the mothers with higher SES. The mothers in poverty were more likely to be satisfied with their child's substitute care (non-maternal child care) than their SES counterparts. Implications for research and social policy were discussed. (Contains 5 tables and 1 note.)