Depression and satisfaction in different domains of life in dual-earner families: A dyadic analysis

Abstract

This study explored the spillover and crossover associations between depression and satisfaction with life, food-related life, and family life in dual-earner families. Questionnaires were administered to 303 dual-earner couples with adolescent children in Temuco, Chile. Both members of the couple answered the Depression Subscale of the Depression Anxiety and Stress scale-21, Satisfaction with Life scale, Satisfaction with Food-related Life scale, and the Satisfaction with Family Life scale. Using the actor-partner interdependence model and structural equation modeling, we found that a man's depression was negatively associated with his own levels of satisfaction with life, family life, and food-related life as well as with his partner's (the woman's) levels of satisfaction with life and family life. The woman's depression was negatively associated with her own levels of satisfaction with life, family life, and food-related life as well as with her partner's (the man's) satisfaction with family life, but not with his level of life satisfaction. No crossover effects were found between the two members of the couple's depression and their satisfaction with food-related life. These findings suggest that to enhance overall life satisfaction as well as satisfaction in the family and food domains in dual-earner families, interventions to reduce depression should include both partners.

Family profiles based on family life satisfaction in dual‐earner households with adolescent children in Chile

“…Unlike the previous variables, parents' mental health seems to have a key role associated with the family members' satisfaction with family life. The levels of depression, anxiety, and stress of both parents, and the levels of satisfaction with family life of each family member in the three profiles, support previous studies showing that an individual's mental health is negatively associated with their own satisfaction with family life (Lu et al, 2018), their partner's well-being (Marguerite et al, 2017), and satisfaction with family life (Schnettler et al, 2019), as well as their children's well-being (van Eldik et al, 2019). Notwithstanding, individuals with greater health problems might report greater social support because their health problems require more resources (Priest et al, 2019).…”

“…In this study, mental health is focused on subclinical symptomatology of depression, anxiety, and stress (Lovibond & Lovibond, 1995). Studies have negatively associated mental health problems with individuals’ satisfaction in the family domain (Lu et al, 2018; Schnettler et al, 2019), and with their work–life balance (Haar et al, 2014). Research has also shown that individuals’ mental health can also affect their partners’ well‐being (Marguerite et al, 2017; Schnettler et al, 2019).…”

“…Studies have negatively associated mental health problems with individuals’ satisfaction in the family domain (Lu et al, 2018; Schnettler et al, 2019), and with their work–life balance (Haar et al, 2014). Research has also shown that individuals’ mental health can also affect their partners’ well‐being (Marguerite et al, 2017; Schnettler et al, 2019). Adults’ mental health and their children's well‐being have also been associated in terms of links between family strain and depression and anxiety (Priest et al, 2019); and family interactions and children's well‐being, and depressive symptoms and stress (van Eldik et al, 2019).…”

Family function and life satisfaction of postgraduate medical students during the COVID-19 pandemic: the mediating role of meaning in life and depression

“…Adolescent depression was also associated with impairment in family function ( Sireli and Aysev Soykan, 2016 ). On the other hand, people’s depression was negatively associated with their own level of satisfaction with life ( Bukhari and Saba, 2017 ; Schnettler et al., 2019 ). Furthermore, in a previous whole study of women living with breast cancer, depression was found to be an important mediator variable in the effect from social support to quality of life ( Kugbey et al., 2020 ) while a study also investigated the indirect effect of facebook addiction on life satisfaction through social anxiety and depression ( Foroughi et al., 2019 ).…”

¿En qué medida la adversidad temprana y la depresión explican la satisfacción de pareja?

“…Sumado a lo anterior, dado que la depresión aumenta la irritabilidad, afecta el disfrute sexual y la comunicación, las parejas con un miembro deprimido presentan mayores dificultades y menor satisfacción con la relación reportada, tanto por hombres como por mujeres (Barry, Dubac & Barden, 2019;Kenny & Ledermann, 2010;Lamas, 2000). En cuanto al impacto en mujeres, estudios nacionales recientes en familias chilenas muestran que la depresión femenina se asocia negativamente con la satisfacción con la vida y la familia (Schnettler, et al, 2019),…”