Depression, anxiety, and stress among women working in the beauty salon industry: A study from Assam.

Introduction: Women working in the informal sectors such as the beauty salon industries are at risk for problems such as job insecurity, exploitation, and poor health facilities. The mental health of these women has not been adequately researched. This article assesses the mental health (depression, anxiety, and stress) status and the job stress of women working in the beauty salon industry. Materials and Methods: This is a descriptive research study. A total of 60 women working in the registered beauty salons under the Tezpur and Jorhat Municipal Board were included in the study using a purposive sampling method. Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scales and Job Stress Scale were administered to study. Results: The prevalence of depression and anxiety among the participants were found to be at 34.2% and 39.74% which indicates at a severe level. The stress level was found to be 13.3% which signifies that participants have mild levels of stress. Mental health status and job stress were found to have a significant positive correlation with stress, anxiety, and depression. Anxiety was found to be significantly influenced by job stress. Conclusion: Depression, anxiety, and stress issues of women working in the beauty salon industry need to be addressed. This study provides further insights to understand the depression, anxiety, and stress of the women working in the beauty salon industry as the women from this section are usually neglected although they play a role in transforming individuals overall image. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]