Domestic work division and satisfaction in cohabiting adults: Associations with life satisfaction and self-rated health

Abstract

Background: The amount and perception of domestic work may affect satisfaction with everyday life, but further knowledge is needed about the relationship between domestic work division and health and well-being.

Aim: To describe the division of, and satisfaction with, domestic work and responsibility for home/family in adults living with a partner. A further aim was to investigate the associations between these aspects and self-rated life satisfaction and health.

Method: Data from the Work, Lipids and Fibrinogen survey collected 2009 were used, comprising 4924 participants living with a partner. Data were analyzed using logistic regression.

Results: The majority shared domestic work and responsibility for home/family equally with their partner. However, more women conducted the majority of the domestic work and were less satisfied with its division. When both division and satisfaction with division was included in the analysis, solely satisfaction with the division and the responsibility were associated with higher odds for good life satisfaction. Regarding health, higher odds for good self-rated health were seen in those who were satisfied with their division of responsibility.

Conclusion and significance: The results highlight the importance of taking into account not solely the actual division of domestic work but also the satisfaction with it.

Keywords:

• Activities in everyday life
• gender differences
• occupational balance

Disclosure statement

The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of this article.