Association of time spent on unpaid labor with depressive symptoms among single parents in Korea: focus on gender differences

Single parents are required to manage both paid and unpaid labor, which can lead to time pressure and psychological distress. This study examined the relationships among time spent on caregiving and housework and depressive symptoms among single fathers and mothers in South Korea. A nationwide sample of 1,095 single fathers and 2,205 single mothers was included in the 2021 Single-Parent Family Survey. Average daily hours spent on caregiving and housework were self-reported. The Patient Health Question-9 was employed to measure depressive symptoms. Linear regression models were used. On average, single fathers spent 2.2 and 2.3 h per day on caregiving and housework, respectively, while single mothers spent 2.8 and 2.9 h per day on caregiving and housework, respectively. Among fathers, daily hours spent on caregiving and housework exhibited no clear association with depressive symptoms. Among mothers, time spent on housework exhibited a positive association with depressive symptoms ( B = 0.515; standard error [SE] = 0.098; t = 5.256; p < .001), whereas caregiving hours were not associated with depressive symptoms ( B = 0.054; SE = 0.059; t = 0.926; p = .355). Daily hours spent on housework are positively associated with depressive symptoms among single mothers. Policies are required to support single parents in balancing work and domestic responsibilities.