Abstract

BLANCO, Gisela  and  FELDMAN, Lya. Home-making responsibilities and health in working woman. Salud pública Méx [online]. 2000, vol.42, n.3, pp. 217-225. ISSN 0036-3634.  http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0036-36342000000300008.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the relationship between the distribution of home-making responsibilities and perceived mental and physical health in working women. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted between September 1994 and Octuber 1995, in Caracas, Venezuela. A total of 260 university teachers were surveyed on home-making management and activities. Statistical analysis consisted of central tendency measures, analysis of variance and hierarchical multiple regression. RESULTS: Considering the distribution of home-making responsibilities, it was found that women participated more in home-making management and planning and that they received support from their partner in those tasks related to home-making. Those women who perceived higher overload in hometasks reported also higher levels of anxiety, depression and a lower self-esteem. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate the negative effects of household labor on mental health in working women.

Keywords : women's health; occupational health; mental health; women; working; Venezuela.