Mental well-being of married women: Role of work status and age.

The present study was based on a 2 (Work status) x 3 (Age) factorial design to examine the role of work status and age on general efficacy, perceived stress, marital adjustment and mental well-being of married working and nonworking women across three age groups. The sample consisted of 120 married women (60 working & 60 nonworking) from young age (25-34 years), middle age (35-44 years) andlate age group (45-55 years). Thus, there were 20 working and 20 non-working married women in each of the three age groups. Results revealed a significant main effect of work status with respect to perceived stress. Non-working women experienced higher level of stress compared to their working counterparts. On the other hand, age had a significant effect on efficacy and women in late age were more efficacious than the middle aged women. Work status and age interaction effect revealed that young non-working women had better marital adjustment compared to all other groups. On the basis of Regression analysis, marital adjustment emerged as the most powerful predictor of mental well-being of married women. Results were discussed in the light socialization practices, gender role expectations, empowerment through economic independence and psycho-social needs across different age groups of working and non-working married women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]