THE DOUBLE BURDEN - EFFECTS OF OUTSIDE EMPLOYMENT AND FAMILY RESPONSIBILITY ON WOMENS HEALTH

On the basis of longitudinal data, this paper explores the effects of employment and family on women's health over their life course. Using methods of event history analysis, we show that employed women are gen erally healthier than the gainfully unemployed. Furthermore, marriage promotes better health, However, the double burden of employment and y oung children in the household diminishes the positive impact of emplo yment, For women in manual jobs, the negative effect of employment on health may prevail. Overall, women's health situation depends on compl ex, time-varying circumstances. The positive or negative impact of emp loyment on women's health depends on individual constellations that va ry across their life course.