The Gift of Time, How Do I Want to Spend It? Exploring Preferences for Time Allocation Among Women with and without a Breast Cancer Diagnosis

Ni Gao (), Mandy Ryan, Suzanne Robinson and Richard Norman
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Ni Gao: University of Aberdeen
Mandy Ryan: University of Aberdeen
Suzanne Robinson: Deakin University
Richard Norman: Curtin University

Applied Health Economics and Health Policy, 2025, vol. 23, issue 2, No 7, 253-264

Abstract: Abstract Background Women’s preferences for time allocation reveal how they would like to prioritise market work, family life, and other competing activities. Whilst preferences may not always directly translate to behaviour, they are an important determinant of intention to act. Objective We present the first study to apply a discrete choice experiment (DCE) to investigate time allocation preferences among women diagnosed with breast cancer and women without a cancer diagnosis. Methods Time attributes were paid work, household work, caregiving, passive leisure and physical leisure. An income attribute was included to estimate the monetary value of time. The study took place in the UK and the DCE was completed by 191 women diagnosed with breast cancer and 347 women without a cancer diagnosis. Responses were analysed using a mixed logit model. Results Women diagnosed with breast cancer have stronger positive preferences for daily activities compared to women without a cancer diagnosis. They require less compensation (not significant) for an additional hour of paid work (£5.58), household work (£7.92), and caregiving (£8.53). They are willing to pay more for an additional hour of passive leisure (£1.70, not significant) and physical leisure (£13.66, significant). Conclusion The heterogeneous preferences for time allocation among women have policy implications and are significant for welfare analysis.

Date: 2025
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DOI: 10.1007/s40258-024-00934-9

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