Unveiling The Invisible: Understanding The Level of Stress among Working Women

Stress is a familiar trademark of modern life, yet individuals perceive and respond to it differently. These differences in perception play a crucial part in shaping how effectively people cope with stressful situations. At times, a situation may feel overwhelming simply because one is not adequately prepared to handle it, while another person may approach the same situation with ease. Thus, the way we interpret and react to stressors considerably influences their impact on our health. Stress stem from environmental needs, known as stressors, and their number frequently increases as individuals take on more roles. Traditionally, women have managed family responsibilities, but with their growing participation in public and professional spheres, they now juggle multiple roles. This includes caring for family and children, maintaining high levels of performance and competence, and keeping pace with workplace demands to ensure career growth and advancement. These combined responsibilities can significantly elevate stress levels among working women. Therefore, the present study aims to assess the level of stress experienced by working women. For achieving this goal, a sample comprising 100 women aged between 20-60 years was selected from various places in Kumaun region of Uttarakhand, with 50 women identified as working professionals in government sector and 50 as working professionals in private sector through random sampling technique. Dr. A. K. Singh’s personal stress source inventory was used for data collection. Statistical analysis included calculating percentages on basis of frequencies, and calculating mean, SD and t score of each group for comparison. Outcomes suggested that the majority of working women, either belonging to government sector or private sector, experienced moderate level of stress (range 31-79).