Background: Paid domestic work is socially undervalued and it is estimated to be an activity with high psychosocial risk (PSR). Objective: To verify the level of PSR and its association with health, sociodemographic and employment variables in female domestic workers (FDW) in Chile. Material and method: Quantitative and qualitative cross-sectional study whit a non-probabilistic sample. The SUSESO / ISTAS21 questionnaire (COPSOQ 1) was administred to FDW leaders throughout Chile. Statistic analysis was carried out. Subsequent discussion sessions with the same leaders were recorded, transcribed and analyzed. Results: A total of 291 FDW participated in the study. High risk was detected in emotional demands, hiding emotions, possibilities of development, relationship with superiors, and low risk in quantitative, and sensory demands, role conflict, contract insecurity, influence, and sense of work. Health scores below the Chilean average (worse health) were not associated with sociodemographic variables, nor with weekly hours worked, nor with care activities. There were rather small correlations between health and PSR, except for emotional demands, integration in the company and esteem. FDW leaders suggest that poor mental health is due not so much to a high PSR, but to low self-esteem due to devaluation of one’s work and shame. Discussion: FDW are surprisingly autonomous in their work, but have high risk in emotional demands and ambivalent attitudes towards their employers, given the abuse of long working hours. They also highly value leadership. The main problem is low self-esteem expressed as shame due to socially devalued work, and not so much psychosocial risk.
Author Biographies
Juan Pérez-Franco, Superintendencia de Seguridad Social
Departamento de Psiquiatría y Salud Mental Sur, Universidad de Chile.
Macarena Candia, Superintendencia de Seguridad Social
Pérez-Franco, J., & Candia, M. (2019). Dirty and demeaning. Psychosocial risk in female domestic workers in Chile. Revista Chilena De Salud Pública, 22(2), p. 161–170. https://doi.org/10.5354/0719-5281.2018.53247
