Exploring the associations of perceptions of home interior to stress and quality of life among housewives

This study explore the relationship between housewives’ perceptions of the esthetic characteristics of the home interior and their reports of quality of life and stress. A random sample of 250 housewives responded to the WHO Quality of Life Questionnaire, the Perceived Stress Scale and a scale to measure the perceived esthetic characteristics of the home interior. Findings indicated that %63,2 of the sample reported moderate to intense dissatisfaction with their home interior. Perceived low ocioeconomic status, homes with traditional home design, dissatisfaction with home interior and lack of interior decorations were associated with reports of greater stress and lower quality of life. The implications are that materialistic attitudes from social comparisons may contribute to stress and quality of life.