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Domestic Work, Self-Reported Diagnosed Depression and Related Costs among Women and Men—Results from a Population-Based Study in Sweden

Author

Listed:
  • Anu Molarius

    (Centre for Clinical Research, Region Värmland, 651 85 Karlstad, Sweden
    Department of Public Health Sciences, Karlstad University, 651 88 Karlstad, Sweden)

  • Alexandra Metsini

    (Department of Sustainable Development, Region Värmland, 651 82 Karlstad, Sweden
    Institute of Medical Sciences, Örebro University, 701 82 Örebro, Sweden)

Abstract

Background: In contrast to paid work, few studies have investigated the association between unpaid domestic work and mental health. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between domestic work and self-reported diagnosed depression and to estimate related costs in a general population. Method: The study is based on women (N = 7981) and men (N = 6203) aged 30–69 years who responded to a survey questionnaire in Mid-Sweden in 2017 (overall response rate 43%). Multivariate logistic regression models, adjusting for age group, educational level, family status, employment status, economic difficulties, and social support, were used to study the association between domestic work and depression. The estimation of direct and indirect costs was based on the calculation of population attributable risks, the literature, and administrative data. Results: In total, 25% of the women and 14% of the men spent more than 20 h a week on domestic work, and 57% of the women and 39% of the men experienced domestic work sometimes or more often as burdensome. A strong independent association between experiencing domestic work as burdensome and depression was observed both in women and men. The total cost of depression possibly related to burdensome domestic work was estimated up to EUR 135.1 million (min EUR 20.7 million–max EUR 21.4 billion) of the total EUR 286.4 million per year in Mid-Sweden. Conclusions: The association between experiencing domestic work as burdensome and depression was strong among both women and men and was not restricted to employed persons or to parents with children. Even though the cross-sectional design does not allow one to assess the direction of the association between domestic work and depression, and longitudinal studies are needed, the results imply that strain in domestic work should be taken into account when considering factors that contribute to the prevalence of depression in the general population and its high societal costs.

Suggested Citation

  • Anu Molarius & Alexandra Metsini, 2021. "Domestic Work, Self-Reported Diagnosed Depression and Related Costs among Women and Men—Results from a Population-Based Study in Sweden," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(18), pages 1-11, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:18:p:9778-:d:637180
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Qinqin Jiang & Zhe Zhao & Yijun Liu & Zhenbang Wei & Yan Bing & Feng Zhang & Jiahao Liu & Lei Gao & Jinhai Sun & Lei Yuan, 2024. "Decomposition analysis of the difference in depressive symptoms between urban and rural employed people in China: Unpaid work plays an important role," International Journal of Social Psychiatry, , vol. 70(2), pages 340-354, March.
    3. Gunnel Hensing & Varsha Rajagopalan & Carin Staland-Nyman, 2023. "Domestic Factors as Determinant of Sickness Absence with Psychiatric Disorders: A Scoping Review of Nordic Research Published between 2010–2019," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(13), pages 1-18, July.

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