Association between husband's participation in household work and the onset of depressive symptoms in married women: A population-based longitudinal study in South Korea
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
An unequal distribution of household work by gender is prevalent. This study explored the association between husbands' participation in household work and the onset of depressive symptoms among married Korean women. A nationwide sample of 7024 married women was repeatedly followed up at 2-year intervals from 2014 to 2022 (20,343 observations). The daily household work hours of both the participants and their husbands were self-reported. Satisfaction with husbands' participation in household work was classified as satisfactory, neutral, or dissatisfactory. Depressive symptoms were assessed using the 10-item version of the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression. A generalized estimating equation was employed to determine how household work participation was associated with the onset of depressive symptoms in married women at the 2-year follow-up. The risk ratios (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated. The mean daily hours spent on household work were 2.62 h for married women and 0.35 h for husbands. A 1-h increase in the husbands' daily time spent on household work was negatively associated with the risk of onset of depressive symptoms in married women (RR: 0.88, 95% CI: 0.80–0.98). Compared with individuals with neutral responses, those satisfied with their husband's household work had a lower risk of depressive symptom onset (RR: 0.82, 95% CI: 0.74–0.90), whereas dissatisfaction was linked to increased risk (RR: 1.15, 95% CI: 1.04–1.27). Husbands' participation in household work was associated with a reduced risk of depressive symptom onset among married women. Achieving gender equality in the division of household work is important for women's mental health.
期刊介绍:
Social Science & Medicine provides an international and interdisciplinary forum for the dissemination of social science research on health. We publish original research articles (both empirical and theoretical), reviews, position papers and commentaries on health issues, to inform current research, policy and practice in all areas of common interest to social scientists, health practitioners, and policy makers. The journal publishes material relevant to any aspect of health from a wide range of social science disciplines (anthropology, economics, epidemiology, geography, policy, psychology, and sociology), and material relevant to the social sciences from any of the professions concerned with physical and mental health, health care, clinical practice, and health policy and organization. We encourage material which is of general interest to an international readership.