A Comparative Study of Stress, Coping Strategies, and Social Support among Working and Non-Working Women

This research investigates the influence of employment status on women's psychological well-being through a study of three key dimensions: stress, coping mechanisms, and perceived social support. In the present socio-cultural context of India, women tend to negotiate the challenges of dual roles—professional and domestic—and these may have a profound effect on their mental health. On the other hand, women who are not working experience unique emotional issues, such as social invisibility and dependency. Research in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, involved 100 women, 60 working women, and 40 non-working women who volunteered. A self-designed, 25-item questionnaire measured levels of stress, the categories of coping, and the amount of perceived social support. It proved good in internal consistency, with a Cronbach's alpha of 0.84. Analysis was conducted using SPSS Version 25, with descriptive statistics, independent samples t-tests, and Pearson correlation employed to compare variables between groups. Results indicated that employed women reported higher stress levels than non-employed women, but also employed more active coping styles. Perceived social support did not vary between the groups significantly. There was a moderate positive relationship between stress and coping that suggested women under greater stress also used coping strategies more frequently. These findings highlight the need for employment-sensitive mental health interventions. Organizational and community action must be adapted to the demands of employed and unemployed Indian women. These patterns can be used to inform policy, workplace reform, and social programs to strengthen the psychological resilience of women