Satisfaction with division of domestic work - more important than actual division? Result from the WOLF study

Background: Gender differences, where women spend more time in unpaid work may indicate occupational imbalance. The aim was to describe division of, and satisfaction with, domestic work and responsibility for home and family... [ view full abstract ]

Background:
Gender differences, where women spend more time in unpaid work may indicate occupational imbalance.

The aim was to describe division of, and satisfaction with, domestic work and responsibility for home and family in adults living with a partner. Another aim was to investigate the associations between these aspects and self-rated life satisfaction.

Method:
Data comprised 4924 persons answering questions in the WOLF 2009 study about division of and responsibility for domestic work, satisfaction with these aspects and self-rated life satisfaction. Data was analyzed statistically with logistic regression.

Results:
It was most common to share the domestic work and responsibility thereof equally with their partner. However, more women conducted the majority of the domestic work and took most responsibility.

In a logistic regression model including actual domestic division, there was an association between good self-rated life satisfaction and sharing the domestic work equally compared to doing the majority of the work or having the majority of responsibility themselves.

However, in a logistic regression model including both actual domestic division and satisfaction with the division, there was solely an association between good self-rated life satisfaction and being satisfied with the division and responsibility.

Conclusion:
This results show the importance of taking both actual domestic work division and satisfaction with the division into consideration.

Application to Practice:
Occupational therapists need to address both domestic work division and satisfaction with the division with their clients.