The Invisible Burden: Unravelling Mental Load in Heterosexual Couples in Spain.

Mental load, defined as the invisible responsibility of managing everyday and emotional tasks, has become a crucial topic in the study of gender equality. The unequal distribution of domestic and care work organizations in heterosexual couples has emerged as the primary obstacle preventing women from participating on equal terms with men in the public sphere. This research explores how the unequal distribution of mental load between genders perpetuates inequalities in both domestic and labour contexts.

Based on a set of activities, the statistical distribution in latent groups has revealed different profiles characterised by varying degrees of involvement in household management activities. The Latent Class Analysis (LCA) classification technique contributes to this field of study. Using data from the 2019 Social Survey: Balancing Work and Home Life: Habits and Attitudes of the Andalusian Population, a model with six profiles—three for men and three for women—has been developed, characterized by the distribution of management tasks performed at home. This has allowed for a deeper understanding of latent patterns regarding mental load distribution in domestic settings.

The model revealed specific groups regarding management distribution at home, differentiating between those who adopt equitable assignments and those who perpetuate more traditional roles. This research aims to highlight the latent gender patterns in the domestic sphere that persist today and contribute to the debate on gender equality, emphasizing the need for policies that recognize and address mental load as a key factor in the fight for equity.