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psychologytoday.com
article
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/changepower/202208/8-surprising-psych…
As summarized here, the researchers found that “Those most engaged in frequent exercise, household chores, and daily visits by friends and family had a 35 percent, 21 percent, and 15 percent lower risk of dementia compared to those least engaged in these activities.” These correlations do not imply causation, but they do illustrate how simple lifestyle changes can make big differences in health, as fellow Psychology Today blogger Christopher Bergland writes. [...] Here’s what recent research tells us about the value of ordinary household tasks:
1. Chores can lead to creative problem-solving.
As researchers state here in a study entitled, "Inspired by Distraction: Mind Wandering Facilitates Creative Incubation," doing undemanding tasks allows the mind to wander where it will. Your mind gets a break and allows you to consider old problems with new eyes. In fact, undemanding tasks stimulated more creative ideas than demanding tasks or just resting. [...] Chores that reduce clutter can also reduce stress. Various studies have indicated that clutter can be linked to higher cortisol—a stress hormone—and can also interfere with focusing. I love the title of author Gretchen Rubin's book: Outer Order, Inner Calm. That about sums it up. So if you’ve been yearning to clean out that junk drawer, do it. You’ll feel better.
8. Chores are an opportunity for “me time.”
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pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
official
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7374043
For most adults, household chores are undesirable tasks, yet need to be completed regularly. Previous research has identified absolute hours spent on household chores and one’s perceived fairness of the housework distribution as predictors of romantic relationship quality and well-being outcomes. Drawing on Equity Theory, we hypothesized that perceived fairness acts as an underlying psychological mechanism linking household chores hours to long-term effects of relationship quality, well-being, [...] In summary, household chores are necessary tasks but perceiving the amount of time spent on these tasks as unfair can produce long-term negative consequences on health, well-being, and relationship quality. A key contribution of this study stems from introducing participants’ SES as a factor to determine specifically who are more likely to perceive household chores hours as unfair. Daily stress and depleted psychological resources may be necessary to understand why perceived fairness differs [...] status (SES) typically do not. Building on two separate theories, Equity Theory (Adams, 1965) and the Reserve Capacity Model (Gallo & Matthews, 2003), the current research extends the literature in four main ways. First, through Equity Theory, we consider perceived fairness as a psychological mechanism linking time spent on household chores to health and well-being outcomes. Second, we extend the housework literature to health-related outcomes (e.g., physical health and sleep dysfunction).
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nature.com
article
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41599-025-05208-w
Njie et al. (2015 Girls’ familial responsibilities and schooling in the Gambia. Int Educ Stud 8(10):48–62")) examined the implications of chore assignments on the psychological and emotional well-being of children in The Gambia, determining that an excessive burden of chores may result in stress, fatigue, and diminished self-esteem, especially in girls. Conversely, other studies suggest that boys’ involvement in economically demanding activities, such as farming and herding, can expose them to [...] ### Effects of chore performance
#### Negative effects of chores
The FGDs revealed that performing chores at home has a variety of negative effects on children Responses from children and adults indicate some of the common effects, which have been categorized under (a) stress and fatigue, (b) Interference with Education (c) Interference with leisure and recreation (d) Interference with leisure and recreation (e) physical risks, (d) gender stereotyping.
Stress and fatigue [...] Future research should consider longitudinal studies to explore the long-term impacts of chore performance on children’s psychological, academic, and social well-being. Such studies could also examine how factors like socio-economic status, family structure, and cultural differences influence chore participation and its effects. Additionally, qualitative studies could provide deeper insights into children’s perspectives on chore performance, further enriching the understanding of this critical
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theconversation.com
article
https://theconversation.com/moms-think-more-about-household-chores-and-this-c…
Our research found that this cognitive dimension of housework, often called the “mental load,” is divided even more unevenly within couples than the physical dimension – and it seems to take a particular mental health toll on women. According to the study we published in the Archives of Women’s Mental Health, mothers who take on a more disproportionate share of cognitive household labor report higher levels of depression, stress, relationship dissatisfaction and burnout. [...] Our study is one of the first to investigate the cognitive dimension of household labor and its effects on maternal mental health. Cognitive labor may be particularly taxing for women because it often runs behind the scenes and goes unacknowledged or unappreciated by others. It also pulls mental energy away from other priorities. [...] We also don’t know much about the long-term effects of the division of cognitive labor on women’s mental health and cognitive functioning.
The unfair division of housework is a frequent source of stress in relationships and often cited by women as a reason for divorce. The cognitive load may be an underappreciated aspect of the domestic workload that warrants more attention from couples therapists, mental health counselors and premarital relationship educators.
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onecentralhealth.com.au
article
https://www.onecentralhealth.com.au/blog/the-importance-of-kids-doing-chores
Research in child psychology suggests that children who contribute to the household tend to show fewer behavioural problems. Structured chores can reduce oppositional behaviour by providing clear expectations and routines. Additionally, contributing to the family can decrease anxiety by reinforcing a sense of belonging and stability.
Structured responsibilities and predictable routines are clinically beneficial. [...] From a family systems perspective, shared responsibilities improve family functioning. Children who feel like active contributors are more likely to feel connected and valued within the family unit. This strengthens attachment relationships, which are critical for emotional security and long-term psychological wellbeing.
From a clinical family perspective, chores strengthen relationships. [...] The clinical and developmental benefits of children doing chores at home are well-supported in psychology and child development research. Beyond helping around the house, chores act as structured, real-life “practice opportunities” for key brain, emotional, and behavioural systems.
Here are the most important clinically relevant benefits:
### Supporting Executive Function Development
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link.springer.com
article
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12144-024-06963-w
White, E. M., DeBoer, M. D., & Scharf, R. J. (2019). Associations between household chores and childhood self-competency. Journal of Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics, 40(3), 176–182.
Article
Google Scholar
Xiang, M. Q., Tan, X. M., Sun, J., Yang, H. Y., Zhao, X. P., Liu, L., Hou, X. H., & Hu, M. (2020). Relationship of physical activity with anxiety and depression symptoms in Chinese college students during the COVID-19 outbreak. Frontiers in Psychology, 11, 582436. [...] Kupcova, I., Danisovic, L., Klein, M., & Harsanyi, S. (2023). Effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health, anxiety, and depression. BMC Psychology, 11(1), 108.
Article
PubMed
PubMed Central
Google Scholar
Lam, C. B., Greene, K. M., & McHale, S. M. (2016). Housework time from middle childhood through adolescence: Links to parental work hours and youth adjustment. Developmental Psychology, 52(12), 2071. [...] Depression among adolescents is a significant concern both in China and globally. While previous research has acknowledged the influence of family life on adolescent depression, there has been limited exploration of housework, a key aspect of family dynamics. Using data from the China Family Panel Studies (CFPS) spanning 2016–2020, this study investigates the relationship between household chores and adolescent depression. The sample comprises 977 students with data collected over three waves.
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ipc2021.popconf.org
article
https://ipc2021.popconf.org/uploads/211744
There was no statistically significant association of housework minutes and depressive symptoms for boys. Conclusions Our study contributes several noteworthy findings to the study of housework and mental health. First, our results reveal that housework is a highly gendered activity among adolescents ages 12-17 in rural India. Girls do five more daily minutes of housework as boys on average. Significant time devoted to household chores could impede girls’ engagement in other educational or [...] (Mathers et al. 2009, Pantic et al. 2012). We focus on time spent in housework—a highly gendered activity globally, but particularly so in India. There are two competing theories regarding the impact of housework on mental health. One approach is from public health and medical sciences, which views housework as a physical activity. Because physical activity generally elevates mood and energizes people, housework should improve mental health. A second approach is rooted in the social sciences, [...] more limited mobility and time outside of the domestic sphere for girls compared to their male counterparts. OLS regression results for the two mental health measures are reported in Table 2 for girls and boys separately. A positive coefficient indicates increased reported anxiety and depressive symptoms (poorer mental health). Results reveal that housework time is significantly associated with adolescent mental health. Housework minutes are associated with heightened anxiety symptoms for boys
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aacap.org
article
https://www.aacap.org/AACAP/Families_and_Youth/Facts_for_Families/FFF-Guide/C…
Chores are routine but necessary tasks, such as washing the dishes or folding laundry. Research suggests there are benefits to including chores in a child's routine as early as age 3. Children who do chores may exhibit higher self-esteem, be more responsible, and be better equipped to deal with frustration, adversity, and delayed gratification. These skills can lead to greater success in school, work, and relationships. [...]
Sometimes it can be challenging to get your child to do chores. If your child is unable or unwilling to do chores, it can be frustrating. Try to understand the reasons why. If struggles continue or get worse, it may be a sign of other conflicts or issues that need attention. Talk to your pediatrician or family physician. Ask for a referral to a qualified mental health professional. [...] American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
FFF
No. 125; Updated June 2018