Research Question and Aims of the research Project In today's world, women are often under great stress to be good mothers, to have a successful career outside the home, to be perfect wives, and to take care of household chores, which is a daunting task. Women who try to balance all of these roles spend less time with them because they do not give themselves time to reduce stress, therefore women are more depressed. Women faces a lot of stress in various roles, and there are various factors that causes or leads to stress in her life. Delhi, the capital of India, is a very strong, confident, and hopeful place in the world. On the human side, life is happy and free from stress. 87% of Indian women say they are under a lot of stress and 82% say they do not have time to rest. Unfortunately, Indian society does not live up to the expectations of society at home. Loss of social support and basic infrastructure (creches, reliable housing assistance, etc.) can be very stressful, especially for working women. Most of the females try to fit in with the role they play, add a lot of extra work, but only a very small amount, and this overcrowded job puts a lot of stress on them. “They have added a lot of extra work, but subtracted very little. It is this work overload that is creating stress for them” In organizations, there is this talk of equality and there is no gender discrimination; Things are not quite the same at home. Consistency at work is important, not to do so at home. Communicating with people, going on business and late nights is important to furthering your career, but getting home on time is also important to meet expectations at home. This is the first time that many first-generation women have joined the workforce, “neither they are trained in the community nor prepared” to deal with the situation, which is one of the reasons for their stress. On top of all of this, today's women have higher hopes than ever before. Performance and personal performance at all levels have increased the number of items they have measured themselves. A Nielsen study found that women in India are more likely to use the extra money they have for themselves over the next five years. About 96 percent said they expect to buy clothing, 77 percent say they use health and cosmetics and 44 percent use home electronics. At the age of 25, educated and well-employed Indian women have the desires and aspirations, which their ancestors perhaps rarely had. Finally, working with many Indian women is not a hobby or a luxury. Consumer housing needs a contribution to household income to maintain living standards. They must deal with all the compromises demanded by the community and in the midst of the stressors they face at work and at home. With my background of Paramedical sciences, I assist and helped many people living with stress. The impact of stress on life is devastating, especially for women.). From their point of view women need to understand how to manage daily stress

1. EFFECT OF STRESS ON WOMEN`S HEALTH: A STUDY OF
RESPONSIBLE FACTORS
By
ARUNA RANI
MUIT0117038032
Under the Supervision of Under the Co-Supervision of
Dr Rakesh Kumar Dr Sohini Singh
Professor Assistant Professor
Maharishi School of Humanities & Arts Amity
University, Noida

2. BACKGROUD &
SIGNIFICANCE
Today, there is a lot of pressure on
women to be good mothers, have
successful careers outside of the
home, be perfect wives and take care
of household chores, which can be a
tough balancing act.
Women who try to balance all these
roles probably spend less time on
themselves, because they don`t have
time to spent on reducing stress and
hereby women become more
stressed.
2

3. Introduction
Women have taken on multiple roles to adapt to changes in today’s society.
They continue to meet household and family responsibilities, while at the
same time working outside the home and trying to pursue personal interests.
Women can view these roles as challenges, or they can perceive them as
threats.
As the demands increase to fulfill these roles, women often feel a sense of
helplessness and loss of control, making them prone to stress and burnout.
For most women, stress ranks at the top of the list of daily problems. Women
are more likely candidates for stress than are men.
They strive to be perfect in all areas of their lives, but they do not spend
enough time taking care of themselves.

4. • Sociologists describe women as
struggling to achieve the "male standard"
at work, while trying to maintain the
perfect wife and mother standards at
home
• Women are also less likely to be in as
powerful positions as men to change
their environment.
• Women find it harder to say no to others'
requests and often feel guilty if they can't
please everyone.
• Women often spend less time nurturing
their own emotional and physical needs,
as that might be perceived as selfish
• As women progress through life's stages,
hormonal balance associated with
premenstrual, post-partum and
menopausal changes can affect
chemical vulnerability to stress and
depression.

5. PURPOSE OF STUDY
Stress is ubiquitous in everyday life, and chronic stress can have
negative consequences for health and social welfare. Although a
growing body of research addresses the relationships between
stress, health, and quality of life among women, but there is a gap in
the literature with regard to the effects of stress among women at
stages of midlife.
The purpose of this study is to review relevant studies about women
at midlife in order to identify unanswered questions about stress
This study also serves as an introduction of stress and women’s
midlife health where stress is examined in relation to a wide range of
symptom experiences
The goal of the study is to include women at midlife, and to examine
the coping mechanism, in order to direct future research and provide
relevant care for this growing population.
5

6. AIM & OBJECTIVE
6
The present proposal aims at achieving the following objectives:-
1. To explore the external causes of stress in women
2. To examine the stress in women due to their own perception
and attitude
3. To discuss the effect of stress on women`s physical and
mental health
4. To enlist the major types of stress that encounters women in
daily life as stress at workplace, house as well as social stress.
3. To enumerate the symptoms of stress.
4. To suggest the prevention and management of stress.

7. Literature
review
7

8. • In 1936 Selye Hans first introduced the term Stress ,derived from
the word stringere means physical hardship ,starvation , torture and
pain.
• In 1956 selye Hans define stress as any external event or internal
drive which threatens to upset the organismic equilibrium.
• In 1982 Belle D stated that depression tend to equally effect the
poor and the rich.
• Paul Rosch (1984) presented his findings that the greatest source of
stress for modern women appears to be ambitious in male
dominated professions.
• Labor research ,London (1999) stated that Women faces dual
burden of household and productive work

9. • Roberto, Gigliotti, and Husser (2005) examined the experiences of women
with multiple health conditions and the daily challenges they face in
maintaining independence.
• Women's health is not limited to reproductive health, but also to a variety of
health issues (Wechsberg 2001: 1).
• Women often experience depression in certain conditions or health
problems, including pregnancy, menopause, childbirth, menstruation and
cervical cancer (Women's Health Queensland Wide 1999b).
• Lazarus and Folkman (1984) reported that everyday life events affect health
more than contact with major life stressors
• Geographical diversity also appears to be a risk factor for stress-related
illnesses. (Baum et al.1994)
• There are other factors that contribute to the development of stress-induced
disease. Menopause at an early age is one of them (Women's Health
Queensland Wide 1999a)
• Studies have shown that working women have poor mental health and
higher level of depression compared to nonworking women. Data on mental
health among married working women in India is sparse.
9

10. Problem Formulation
• A variety of studies were conducted to deal with stress in women
and especially for older women or women who are already ill.
• Many of the details are related to women's health experiences, and
not related to the cognitive gap of young women under the age of
35, their perceptions of stress, and the factors that influence these
risks.
• It is often seen that most of the studies aimed at women tend to
focus on diagnostic results rather than the cause of it.
• Very little research was done on women between the ages of 20-35.
Most studies that target young women look at women under the age
of 40
10

11. Research methodology
• Research approach- Detailed Survey
design
• Research Purpose- Explanatory
• Research Design- correlational analysis
• Data source- Primary Data
• Data Collection Instrument- Survey
Questionnaire (5 point scale)
• Sampling Technique- Non- Probability(
Purposive Sampling)
• Target Population- Women (20-60 years)
• Sample size- 258
• Statistical Technique- ANOVA`s
11

12. Research Model
12
Questions
Which of the following types of stressors have you
experience since the last assessment (24 hrs):
Argument or disagreement with anyone, work or school
related event, home related event, Financial issues ,
Health concerns close friend or relative event that was
stressful for you, anything else that people would
consider stressful?
Stressor Type

13. 13
Type of Item Item(s)
Stressor Timing When did that happen?
What time of day did this happen?
Stressor Intensity How stressful was this for you?
Stressor Perceived Stress How much control did you have over the situation?
Stressor Resolution Is the issue resolved?
Stressor Primary Appraisals How much did it disrupt your daily routine?
How do you feel after the situation?
How much did it risk the way you feel about yourself?
What you do to cope with the situation?
How much did it risk your physical health or safety?
How much did it risk the health or well-being of someone you care
about?

14. Continued..
• 1. Are you stressed out in your personal life?
• 2. Is your stress level higher than you can
handle?
• 3. On a scale of 1 to 5, how stressed are you?
• 4. How much stress do you experience on a
daily basis?
• 5. On average, how much overtime do you do
each day?
• 6. How much stress do you get on normal days?
• 7. What stress do you have in the meantime?
14

15. Symptoms of stress
• Current physical health symptoms are
assessed into five categories based on
Larsen and Kasimatis (1991) checklist:
• (a) headache, back pain, and muscle
aches;
• (b) cough, sore throat, fever, cold or
other cold symptoms;
• (c) nausea, anorexia or other stomach
problems;
• (d) chest pain or dizziness;
• (e) others or discomforts
15

16. 16
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
45
50
Work Financial
concerns
Family Networking Health Others
Responsible factors for stress
Mild to moderate Severe to very severe

17. Do you feel stress in your private life?
17
19%
56%
25%
Very much
A little
Not at all
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60%
Scale of stress
Very much A little Not at all

18. Does your stress level get higher than you can bear?
18
8%
20%
35%
26%
12%
Level 1
Level 2
level 3
Level 4
Level 5
0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% 40%
Stress Level
Level 1 Level 2 level 3 Level 4 Level 5

19. On a scale from 1 to 5, How stressed are you?
19
8%
20%
35%
26%
12%
LEVEL 1
LEVEL 2
LEVEL 3
LEVEL 4
LEVEL 5
0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% 40%
Stress Level
Level 1
Level 2
level 3
Level 4
Level 5

20. How stressed do you feel on daily basis?
20
24%
52%
20%
4%
Totally Stressed Out
A bit stressed
Not very stressed
Not stressed at all
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60%
Stress
Totally Stressed Out A bit stressed Not very stressed Not stressed at all

21. How much overtime do you do on average per day?
21
33%
7%
3%
11%
23%
15%
15%
UNDER 30 MIN.
30-40 MINUTES
40-50 MIN.
50 MIN. TO 1 HR
1HR TO 2HRS
2-3 HRS
MORE THAN 3 HRS
0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35%
Daily stress
Under 30 min.
30-40 minutes
40-50 min.
50 min. to 1 hr
1hr to 2hrs
2-3 hrs
more than 3 hrs

22. How stressed do you feel on typical days?
22
Completely stressed ot
24%
A little stressed out
54%
Not very Stressed out
18%
Almost no stress at all
4%
Average stress
Completely stressed ot A little stressed out Not very Stressed out Almost no stress at all

23. What has been stressing you recently?
23
Work matters
31%
Private matters
12%
Both matters
41%
Nothing matters
16%
Typical days stress
Work matters Private matters Both matters Nothing matters

24. Survey Analysis
24
Measures
Total Sample
(258)
Young
20-35
years (86)
Middle 36-49
years (86)
Older 50-65
years (86)
(A)Physical Health symptoms 57% 59% 59% 53%
(B) Types of Daily stressors
Any Stressors 41% 45% 44% 32%
Interpersonal tensions 23% 28% 24% 17%
Work stressors 9% 10% 12% 4%
Home Stressors 9% 10% 9% 8%
Network stressors 7% 6% 7% 7%
Miscellaneous other stressors 6% 7% 8% 5%
Frequency of daily symptoms and stressors

25. Data collection-analysis and
interpretation
• The present study shows the relationship between the
age of daily symptoms and the frequency in the middle
life plateau from a young age
• Everyday symptoms are directly related to environmental
stresses and less related to biological factors
25

26. Results
• The results revealed that there were significant differences in stress levels
between young and older women. This research suggests that age plays
an important role in determining the level of stress that women experience
• Studies have shown that past experiences (in the form of contact with
situations or training and training to deal with a situation) can significantly
change the level of stress experienced subjectively and change the
response to stress.
• Although the cost of housekeeping and work may seem burdensome for
young mothers argue that they are effective in coping with challenges
because of spousal or family support for married women. social support
and social networks for unmarried women
26

27. • The results did not reveal significant statistical differences in the
experience of married / unmarried women in their work / family
conflict. This research suggests that women are no different when it
comes to work / family conflict.
• The results of these studies are surprising because one can expect
more responsible married women to be under more stress than
unmarried women. However, the results of this study contradict this
expectation. A possible explanation for this is that similar working
conditions for married and unmarried women are determined using a
flexible work schedule and a friendly organizational culture. Just as
married women face marriage, women also face stressful situations
such as financial difficulties for self-care and education e.g. Loving
life problems, looking for a spouse, looking after their siblings
27

28. Conclusion
• Research suggests that women's biological response to stress is actually
"sophisticated and friendly," that is, making sure children are safe and
networking with other women during stressful times
• In addition, the current study reveals meaningful information about women’s
quality of life. A small daily estimate of the effectiveness of the age-related
relationship for young and middle-aged women was found, and when
translated overtime, this figure indicates that these women had additional
health symptoms once every two weeks. It helps to better understand the
overall picture of women’s health, including one’s lifetime, physical discomfort
rate, frequency of disability days frequency visits, doctor visits and
prescription and non-prescription medications. As obstacles to achieving
better health. Such information can only serve to prevent women’s health
research by allowing us to modify our perceptions of what a “healthy woman”
means.
28

29. Specific Conclusion
(Contribution of the research)
• Daily stressors play an important role in the formation of everyday
symptoms, this study provides evidence for the psychological impact of
women’s health experience and helps dispel misconceptions about the
reality of women’s health.
• It is meaningful information that allows us to better understand the benefits
and policies of oppressors that affect women’s health status.
29

30. Further scope of research
30
Provide a shift in focus from Biological factors to psychological
factors contributing to women`s health.
Introduce the need for more research not only in aetiology, but
also in treatments that reduce the risks and consider the role of
biological and psychological factors in women's health.
Further research is needed to examine how these factors interact
to assess health risks and behaviors at young age.
Give insight into developmental changes and adaptive patterns
between daily health. Future studies are designed to ensure
better representation of all income groups and minority groups.

31. Reference
• Ackerman, R.J. (1990). Career developments and transitions of middle-aged women. Psychology of Women Quarterly, 14, 513-530.
• Annual estimate of women over age 29. American Heart Association, Heart & Stroke Facts, Dallas, TX; American Heart Association, 2003.
• Annual incidence of women of all ages. National Osteoporosis Foundation, Physician`s guide to Prevention and Treatment of Osteoporosis,
Washington, DC; National Osteoporosis Foundation, 2003.
• Apter, T. (1995). Secrets paths: Women in the new midlife. New York: W.W. Norton and Company.
• Baltimore: Lippincott. Dewar, A. (2001). Protecting strategies used by sufferers of catastrophic illnesses. Journal of Clinical Nursing. 10. 600-608.
• Baron, R. M., & Kenny, D.A. (1986). The moderator – mediator variable distinction in social psychological research: Conceptual, strategic, and
statistical considerations. Journal of Personality & Social Psychology, 51, 1173-1182.
• Beitz, J.M., & Goldberg, E. (2005). The lived experience of having a chronic wound: A phenomenological study. Medsurg Nursing. 14(1), 51-82.
• Birrer, R.B., & Vermi, S.P. (2004). Depression in later life: A diagnostic and therapeutic challenge. American Family Physician, 69(10), 2375-2380.
• Bolger, N., Delongis, A. Kessler, R.C.& Schiling, E.A. (1989). Effects of daily stress on negative mood. Journal of Personality and Social
Psychology, 57, 808-818.
• Brown, G.W.& Harris, T.O. (1986). Social support and depression. In M.H. Appley, & R. Trumball (Eds).
• Brown, G. W., & Harris, T. O. (1989). Life events and illness. New York Guliford Press.
• Burns, N., & Grove, S. K. (1993). The Practice of Nursing Research Conduct, Crisique, & Utilization (2"* ed). Philadelphia: W. B. Saunders
Company.
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32. • Hobfoll, S.E (1989). Conservation of resources A new attempt at conceptualizing stress. American Psychologist, 44, 513-524.
• Kanner, A. D. Coyne, 1. C. Schaefer, C., & Lazarus, R. (1981). Comparison of two modes of stress measurement: Daily hassles and uplifts vs major
life events. Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 4, 1-39.
• Kaplan, R. M (1985). Psychosocial aspects of chronic illness Direct and indirect associations with ischemic heart disease. In R. M. Kaplan, & M. H.
Crqui (Eds.). Behavioral epidemiology and disease prevention (NATO ASI series A: Life sciences, Vol 84. pp. 237 269) New York, NY: Plenum
Press.
• Khan, RL Wolfe, D.M. Quinn, RP Snock, J.D. & Rosenthal, R.A. (1964).
• Larsen, R. J & Kasimatis, M. (1991) Day-to-day physical symptoms Individual differences in the occurrence, duration, and emotional concomitants of
minor daily illnesses. Journal of Personality Special Issue Personality and Daily Experience, 59, 387-423
• Lazarus, R. S, & DeLongis, A. (1983) Psychological stress and coping process New York: McGraw-Hill
• Lazarus, RS, & Folkman, S. (1984). Stress, appraisal, and coping New York Springer.
• Lepore, S. J. Miles, H. J. & Levy, J. S. (1997). Relation of chronic and episodic stressors to psychological distress, reactivity, and health problems.
International Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 4, 39-59
• Levkoff, S. E.Cleary, P. D., & Wetle, T. (1987). Differences in the appraisal of health between aged and middle-aged adults. Journal of Gerontology,
42, 114 120.
• • Lewis, S. & European perspective. Human Resource Management Review. 5, 289 -305.
• Lief, A. (1948). The common-sense Psychiatry of Dr Adolph Meyer. New York: McGraw-Hill
32

33. Concept of Stress
Stress – Eustress
Distress
Selye - ‘Fight’ or ‘Flight ‘
Based on severity:-
– ACUTE STRESS
– CHRONIC STRESS
33

34. Types of Stress
Crisis
Trauma
Life
Events
Daily
Hassles
Single
Multiple
Natural
Man-Made
34

35. Model of Stress Process
35

36. Biological stressors
36

37. 37

38. Psychological Stressors
Major shifts in one’s life that have far reaching and long lasting effects
• Divorce
• Illness in a family
• Changing a career or homes
• Catastrophic events
• potentially life-threatening experiences or traumas
• War/ Natural disaster
• Physical assault
38

39. 39
Common symptoms of stress in women
include:
•Physical. Headaches, difficulty
sleeping, tiredness, pain
overeating/under eating, skin problems,
drug and alcohol misuse, lack of energy,
upset stomach.
•Emotional. Anxiety, depression, anger,
unhappiness, irritability, mood swings,
frustration.
•Mental. Forgetfulness, worry, lack of
focus, boredom.
•Occupational. Work overload, poor
concentration.
•Social. Less intimacy, isolation, family
problems, loneliness.
•Spiritual. Apathy, loss of meaning,
emptiness, doubt, guilt.
Symptoms of stress

40. Stress & Disease
• Hypertension
• Diabetes
• Hyperlipidemia
• Obesity
• Ischemic Heart Diseases
• Psychosomatic Diseases – Asthma, Psoriasis,
Dysmenorrhoea
• Headaches
• Repeated cold and illnesses indicating lack of immunity
• Low back ache
40

41. Stress & Mental Health
• Irritability, Hostility
• Anger
• Anxiety and Worry
• Headaches, Multiple aches and pains
• Depression, Chronic Minor Depr.
• Suicide/DSH
• Substance abuse – Alcohol, Tobacco
• Absenteeism
• Sexual issues
• Hysterical Symptoms
• Burnout
• Indecisiveness, Errors at work 41

42. Work & Stress
• Job
• Home Career interface
– one role leaving little time for the other
- Behavior appropriate in one not so in
other
- strain of one spills on to other
• Home
42

43. Work & Stress
• Multiplicity of Roles
• Role Ambiguity
• Role Overload
• Cultural/Gender Issues
All the above in both Work and Home
situation
43

44. METHODOLOGY
• Probability sampling method is used to
collect data.
• General role stress scale/ STANDARD
STRESS SCALE (SSS)/ (GRSS) is used
in the study( self-administered
questionnaire).
44

45. Stress & coping mechanism
• Stress – Physiological ANS – Systems
Emotional Anxiety, Worry
Behavioral Agitation
• Coping – Emotional
- Cognitive
- Behavioral
45

46. Circle of Positivity
Deals with
Negativity
Increases
Optimism /
Hope
Improves
Focus
Commitment
to the work
Enhances
Self –Esteem
due to
completion
CONTROL
OF
SITUATION
so
STRESS
Positive
Mood
46