Factors Associated with Time Spent Performing Housework/Childcare by Fathers of Children Aged Under 12 Years: A Cross-Sectional Study in Japan

Objective: The objective of this study is to determine the factors associated with time spent performing housework/childcare by fathers of children under 12 years of age (preschool and elementary school children) in Japan. Methods: An online survey of employees and employers was conducted in 2017....

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Main Authors: Rina Matsubara, Naoko Hikita, Megumi Haruna, Emi Sasagawa, Kaori Yonezawa, Yumi Maeda, Yuka Ikeda
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: JMIR Publications 2020-12-01
Series:Asian/Pacific Island Nursing Journal
Subjects:
Online Access:https://kahualike.manoa.hawaii.edu/apin/vol5/iss3/5/
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author Rina Matsubara
Naoko Hikita
Megumi Haruna
Emi Sasagawa
Kaori Yonezawa
Yumi Maeda
Yuka Ikeda
author_facet Rina Matsubara
Naoko Hikita
Megumi Haruna
Emi Sasagawa
Kaori Yonezawa
Yumi Maeda
Yuka Ikeda
author_sort Rina Matsubara
collection DOAJ
description Objective: The objective of this study is to determine the factors associated with time spent performing housework/childcare by fathers of children under 12 years of age (preschool and elementary school children) in Japan. Methods: An online survey of employees and employers was conducted in 2017. Of the 7,796 total responses to the survey, those of 621 fathers of children aged 0–12 years were analyzed. Participants were divided into two groups: fathers of children aged 0–6 years, and fathers of children aged 7–12 years. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed on the items for which there was a significant intergroup difference, setting time spent performing housework as the dependent variable and the survey items as the independent variables. Results: For fathers of children aged 0–6 years, working 40 hours or less per week and commuting for one hour or less were associated with more time spent performing housework/childcare. For fathers of children aged 7–12 years, working less than 40 hours a week, working from home more than once a week, and having spouses with full-time jobs were associated with more time spent performing housework/childcare. Conclusion: This study revealed the factors associated with the time spent by fathers of children under 12 in performing housework/childcare. As several of these factors cannot be altered by the fathers’ efforts alone, companies and society in general must endeavor to improve work styles to better suit the habits and preferences of fathers. This will promote work–life balance and create better family relationships.
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spelling doaj.art-0e48b5c05abe4b3ea16fe2e105941d662022-12-22T03:36:47ZengJMIR PublicationsAsian/Pacific Island Nursing Journal2373-66582020-12-015315316410.31372/20200503.1111Factors Associated with Time Spent Performing Housework/Childcare by Fathers of Children Aged Under 12 Years: A Cross-Sectional Study in JapanRina Matsubara0Naoko Hikita1Megumi Haruna2Emi Sasagawa3Kaori Yonezawa4Yumi Maeda5Yuka Ikeda6School of Integrated Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The University of TokyoDepartment of Midwifery and Women’s Health, Division of Health Sciences and Nursing, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of TokyoDepartment of Midwifery and Women’s Health, Division of Health Sciences and Nursing, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, TokyoDepartment of Midwifery and Women’s Health, Division of Health Sciences and Nursing, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo,Department of Midwifery and Women’s Health, Division of Health Sciences and Nursing, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of TokyoMitsubishi Research Institute, Inc.Mitsubishi Research Institute, Inc.Objective: The objective of this study is to determine the factors associated with time spent performing housework/childcare by fathers of children under 12 years of age (preschool and elementary school children) in Japan. Methods: An online survey of employees and employers was conducted in 2017. Of the 7,796 total responses to the survey, those of 621 fathers of children aged 0–12 years were analyzed. Participants were divided into two groups: fathers of children aged 0–6 years, and fathers of children aged 7–12 years. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed on the items for which there was a significant intergroup difference, setting time spent performing housework as the dependent variable and the survey items as the independent variables. Results: For fathers of children aged 0–6 years, working 40 hours or less per week and commuting for one hour or less were associated with more time spent performing housework/childcare. For fathers of children aged 7–12 years, working less than 40 hours a week, working from home more than once a week, and having spouses with full-time jobs were associated with more time spent performing housework/childcare. Conclusion: This study revealed the factors associated with the time spent by fathers of children under 12 in performing housework/childcare. As several of these factors cannot be altered by the fathers’ efforts alone, companies and society in general must endeavor to improve work styles to better suit the habits and preferences of fathers. This will promote work–life balance and create better family relationships.https://kahualike.manoa.hawaii.edu/apin/vol5/iss3/5/houseworkwork–life balancefathers’ performance of houseworkjob environmentchild
spellingShingle Rina Matsubara
Naoko Hikita
Megumi Haruna
Emi Sasagawa
Kaori Yonezawa
Yumi Maeda
Yuka Ikeda
Factors Associated with Time Spent Performing Housework/Childcare by Fathers of Children Aged Under 12 Years: A Cross-Sectional Study in Japan
Asian/Pacific Island Nursing Journal
housework
work–life balance
fathers’ performance of housework
job environment
child
title Factors Associated with Time Spent Performing Housework/Childcare by Fathers of Children Aged Under 12 Years: A Cross-Sectional Study in Japan
title_full Factors Associated with Time Spent Performing Housework/Childcare by Fathers of Children Aged Under 12 Years: A Cross-Sectional Study in Japan
title_fullStr Factors Associated with Time Spent Performing Housework/Childcare by Fathers of Children Aged Under 12 Years: A Cross-Sectional Study in Japan
title_full_unstemmed Factors Associated with Time Spent Performing Housework/Childcare by Fathers of Children Aged Under 12 Years: A Cross-Sectional Study in Japan
title_short Factors Associated with Time Spent Performing Housework/Childcare by Fathers of Children Aged Under 12 Years: A Cross-Sectional Study in Japan
title_sort factors associated with time spent performing housework childcare by fathers of children aged under 12 years a cross sectional study in japan
topic housework
work–life balance
fathers’ performance of housework
job environment
child
url https://kahualike.manoa.hawaii.edu/apin/vol5/iss3/5/
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