UMEA, Sweden, May 24 (UPI) -- A long commute to work may improve a family's bank account but it can increase the risk for divorce by 40 percent, researchers in Sweden found.
In her dissertation, study author Erika Sandow of Umea University in Sweden said for the majority, long-distance commuting -- about 20 miles -- gives higher earnings but men benefit economically more than women.
Long-distance commuting reduces available family time and the non-commuting spouse often takes on a larger share of household duties -- returning to traditional gender roles.
However, a women's long-distance commute can lead to more egalitarian relationships at work and at home.
The dissertation is based on four empirical studies, presented in different papers.
Two studies draw on individual longitudinal register data on all Swedish long-distance commuters living with a partner. The other two are on commuting behavior in sparsely populated areas, one based on individual register data and the other on a survey, Sandow says.
