Socio-Economics of Women's Mental Health in India

Studies in India and abroad also have revealed that mental health is shaped by the wide-ranging characteristics (including inequalities) of the social, economic and physical environments in which people live and operate. Poor mental health experienced by individuals is a significant cause of so many psychological, social and health problems. In view of it, the present research aimed at examining the differential effects, if any, of socio-economic conditions on women' mental health. A sample of 200 women belonging to Low (n=60), Moderate (n=80) and High (n=60) socio-economic status were selected for data collection. The purposive random sampling method was used in data collection. Their age ranged from 27 years to 55 years. They were administered Socio-economic Status scale (Pandey & Singh, 1997) and Mithila Mental Health Inventory (Kumar & Thakur, 1986). MMHSI provides global as well as dimensional scores - i.e., egocentrism, alienation, extraversion, emotional unstabiltiy and social nonconformity. Data obtained were subjected to descriptive and inferential statistics and socio-economic condition emerged as a potential determinant of mental health of women. The three SES groups differed significantly in experiencing mental health problems. The women from poor socio-economic background appeared to be the worst sufferers from the point of view of their mental health problems. The results are thoroughly discussed in the light of other empirical studies. Besides, implications and limitations of the present study and suggestions for future researches are also underlined.