Marwan Khawaja1, Rima R Habib. 1. Center for Research on Population and Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon. marwan.khawaja@aub.edu.lb
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: We examined the association between husbands' involvement in housework and the psychosocial health of their wives using data on married couples living in poor neighborhoods in Beirut, Lebanon. METHODS: Data were derived from a cross-sectional survey of 2797 households; 1652 married couples and their families were included in the analysis. An index of husbands' relative involvement in housework was constructed from 25 items focusing on division of housework activities. Logistic regression was used to assess associations between husbands' involvement in housework and wives' self-rated mental health status, marital dissatisfaction, and unhappiness. RESULTS: Husbands' involvement in housework was negatively associated with wives' psychological distress, marital dissatisfaction, and overall unhappiness after adjustment for relevant risk factors. In comparison with wives whose husbands were highly involved in housework, wives whose husbands were minimally involved were 1.60 times more likely to be distressed, 2.96 times more likely to be uncomfortable with their husbands, and 2.69 times more likely to be unhappy. CONCLUSIONS: Our results showed a significant association between husbands' involvement in housework and their wives' psychosocial health.
OBJECTIVES: We examined the association between husbands' involvement in housework and the psychosocial health of their wives using data on married couples living in poor neighborhoods in Beirut, Lebanon. METHODS: Data were derived from a cross-sectional survey of 2797 households; 1652 married couples and their families were included in the analysis. An index of husbands' relative involvement in housework was constructed from 25 items focusing on division of housework activities. Logistic regression was used to assess associations between husbands' involvement in housework and wives' self-rated mental health status, marital dissatisfaction, and unhappiness. RESULTS: Husbands' involvement in housework was negatively associated with wives' psychological distress, marital dissatisfaction, and overall unhappiness after adjustment for relevant risk factors. In comparison with wives whose husbands were highly involved in housework, wives whose husbands were minimally involved were 1.60 times more likely to be distressed, 2.96 times more likely to be uncomfortable with their husbands, and 2.69 times more likely to be unhappy. CONCLUSIONS: Our results showed a significant association between husbands' involvement in housework and their wives' psychosocial health.
Authors: Sascha Hein; Johanna Bick; Ghassan Issa; Lara Aoude; Cosette Maalouf; Abir Awar; Sawsan Nourallah; Anna L Zonderman; Sarah Householder; Liliya Katsovich; Kaveh Khoshnood; Christina Moore; Rima Salah; Pia R Britto; James F Leckman; Liliana Angelica Ponguta Journal: PLoS One Date: 2020-03-05 Impact factor: 3.240
Authors: Abisola Osinuga; Brandi Janssen; Nathan B Fethke; William T Story; John A Imaledo; Kelly K Baker Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2021-10-21 Impact factor: 4.614