# Comparative analysis of stress levels among working and non-working Indian women in rural Gujarat

## TL;DR

This study compares stress levels between working and non-working women in rural Gujarat, finding that non-working women had lower stress and benefited more from interventions.

## Contribution

The study highlights the effectiveness of tailored stress interventions for non-working women and identifies income as a key stress mitigator.

## Key findings

- Non-working women had lower stress levels than working women before and after intervention.
- Monthly income correlated with reduced stress in both working and non-working women.
- Interventions reduced stress in non-working women but not in working women.

## Abstract

Stress is derived from the Latin word "stringers" manifests as the body's response to various demands and pressures, affecting
individuals' health and well-being. Therefore, it is of interest to evaluate stress levels in employed and unemployed women, recognizing
the differential stress experiences in various life domains. A quantitative non-experimental comparative research design was employed,
with data collected through structured questionnaires from 120 women in Visnagar, Gujarat. Results: Non-working women demonstrated lower
stress levels compared to working women in pre-test measures. Post-intervention, non-working women experienced a reduction in stress,
while working women showed no change. Demographic factors like age, education, and family structure did not significantly influence
stress levels, except for monthly income, which correlated with lower stress across both groups. The study underscores significant
disparities in stress levels between employed and unemployed women in rural Visnagar. Tailored interventions effectively reduced stress
among non-working women but showed limited efficacy for working women. Financial stability emerged as a crucial factor in mitigating
stress. Younger working women reported higher stress levels, suggesting the need for targeted interventions addressing career and
familial pressures.