Husbands' involvement in housework and women's psychosocial health: Findings from a population-based study in Lebanon

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.