Applying the effort-reward imbalance model to household and family work: a population-based study of German mothers

Abstract

BackgroundThis paper reports on results of a newly developed questionnaire for the assessment of effort-reward imbalance (ERI) in unpaid household and family work. Methods: Using a cross-sectional population-based survey of German mothers (n = 3129) the dimensional structure of the theoretical ERI model was validated by means of Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA). Analyses of Variance were computed to examine relationships between ERI and social factors and health outcomes.ResultsCFA revealed good psychometric properties indicating that the subscale 'effort' is based on one latent factor and the subscale 'reward' is composed of four dimensions: 'intrinsic value of family and household work', 'societal esteem', 'recognition from the partner', and 'affection from the child(ren)'. About 19.3% of mothers perceived lack of reciprocity and 23.8% showed high rates of overcommitment in terms of inability to withdraw from household and family obligations. Socially disadvantaged mothers were at higher risk of ERI, in particular with respect to the perception of low societal esteem. Gender inequality in the division of household and family work and work-family conflict accounted most for ERI in household and family work. Analogous to ERI in paid work we could demonstrate that ERI affects self-rated health, somatic complaints, mental health and, to some extent, hypertension.ConclusionsThe newly developed questionnaire demonstrates satisfied validity and promising results for extending the ERI model to household and family work.

Safe havens and rough waters: Networks, place, and the navigation of risk among injection drug-using Malaysian fishermen

“…A connection between seafaring and substance use, especially alcohol and cannabis, has been found throughout the world (Carruthers, Boots, & Midford, 2002; Evans, Tait, Harvey, & Newbury, 2005; Kissling et al, 2005; Seeley et al, 2012; Tumwesigye et al, 2012). Our results suggest that drug use, especially the injection of heroin, is prevalent in this Malaysian fishing community and that boats, as both a physical and social space, played a key role in the drug scene of fishermen.…”

“Such Behaviors Are Not in My Home Village, I Got Them Here”: A Qualitative Study of the Influence of Contextual Factors on Alcohol and HIV Risk Behaviors in a Fishing Community on Lake Victoria, Uganda

“…Support for a link between alcohol use and HIV/AIDS has been increasingly growing in the broader HIV/AIDS literature, with evidence to demonstrate both direct and indirect influences of alcohol on HIV risk [7–12]. Tumwesigye and colleagues[13] found hazardous levels of alcohol consumption, and a strong correlation between drinking more than two times a week and engaging in transactional sex, among Ugandan fishermen. Other quantitative studies in Ugandan fishing communities consistently demonstrate alcohol users are at an increased risk of being HIV positive[14–19].…”

Recruitment of child soldiers in Nepal: Mental health status and risk factors for voluntary participation of youth in armed groups.

“…It is not surprising that reintegration programs for former child soldiers across many world regions have focused on economic support. However, studies in Burundi and Nepal have shown that economic programs have limited mental health benefit compared to social support services (Adhikari et al, 2014; Jordans et al, 2012), but these studies did not compare outcomes by gender, which would be suggested based on our current study’s outcomes.…”