Depression of married and employed women based on social-role theory

Abstract

Purpose: This study was based on social-role theory, and purposes were to investigate (1) how depression and health determinants vary with married and employed women, and (2) what factors contribute to depression according to family cycle. Methods: A stratified convenience sample of 765 married and employed women was recruited during May to August 2010. Study variables of depression, socio-demographic threatening factors, psycho-stimulating factors, and social-role related factors were measured via a structured questionnaire. Results: Prevalence rate for depression was 18.6%, with highest rate (25.4%) from elementary laborers. Greater levels of depression were related to women's occupation, higher life stress, and poorer health; lower social support and vulnerable personality; higher levels of social-role related stress. From multivariate analysis, women with preadolescents were the most vulnerable to depression affected by occupation, life stress, personality, and parenting stress. These factors (except for occupational class) combined with economic status, social support, and housework unfairness were significant for depression in women with adolescents. Conclusion: Depression among married and employed women differs by psycho-stimulating and social role relevant factors in addition to occupational class and family life cycle. Female elementary laborers and women with children need to have the highest prioritization for community mental health programs.

Relating Factors for Depression in Korean Working Women: Secondary Analysis of the Fifth Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES V)

“…On the other hand, depression in female workers may be influenced negatively by quality of life and result in lower work productivity in the workplace and rising maladjustment in daily working life [11]. Moreover, depression among married working women differs by psychostimulating and social role, in addition to occupational class and family life cycle [30], incivility of patients [31] and we should consider social roles for female workers to solve their psychosocial problems.…”

Effects of Women’s Work-Family Multiple Role and Role Combination on Depressive Symptoms in Korea

“…Comparing to that of housewives, the self-rated health of unmarried mothers without a job was poor, depression was high, and married working women were the most stressed [15]. A study on Korean married women found that women rearing children who were involved in simple labor and sales service jobs were heavily influenced by the multi-role burden, and those in child-age families with professional careers were significantly affected by multi-role attachment [16]. A meta-analysis of studies involving work-family conflict, including multiple roles from 1999 to 2006, concluded that work-family conflicts had a negative impact on physical health, depression, and stress [17].…”

Factors Affecting Unmet Healthcare Needs of Working Married Immigrant Women in South Korea

“…Musculoskeletal disease and gastrointestinal disease occur frequently in migrant workers who do strenuous physical labor. In addition, it is reported that married women engaged in simple labor or service ․ sales had high incidence of depression compared to in professional jobs [19]. Majority of our study subjects were engaged in manual labor (57.6%) or service ․ sales (26.6%), therefore similar health problems are expected to be common in working married immigrant women in Korea.…”