ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES@#Knowledge of labor and mental health status of full-time homemakers is essential for the health and maintenance of our society. This study investigated the current states of mental health and related factors in full-time female homemakers, and the effect of the gap between socially evaluated (perceived)- and self-evaluated value of labor of full-time female homemakers on depression.@*METHODS@#Participants were sequentially recruited from among community-dwelling full-time female homemakers, and assessed using structured questionnaires composed of general items as well as Korean versions of Beck Depression Inventory-II (K-BDI-II), Beck Anxiety Inventory (K-BAI), and Beck Hopelessness Scale (K-BHS). The willingness-to-pay (WTP) approach was used to measure perceived and self-evaluated values of labor of full-time homemakers.@*RESULTS@#A total of 169 participants were enrolled. The analytical results showed that 45.2% of participants were positive when screened by BDI (mild to severe depression), 39.6% positive by K-BAI (anxiety), and 60.9% positive by K-BHS (hopelessness). Multiple regression analysis of significant factors related to depression were burden of nurturing (t=3.99, p<0.001), monthly income (t=−3.24, p<0.01), and relationship with husband (t=−3.03, p<0.01). Logistic regression analysis showed that the gap between perceived- and self-WTP was a significant negative impact factor for depression level transition (K-BDI-II≥14) (p=0.025, odds ratio=0.995).@*CONCLUSION@#The results showed that full-time female homemakers are under relatively risky conditions and are associated with blind spots in the mental health perspective, suggesting that social support and a political approach are necessary for the maintenance of mental health of full-time female homemakers.