IMPACT OF BALANCING THE DUAL DEMANDS OF FAMILY AND EMPLOYMENT: UNDERSTANDING THE DYNAMICS OF DEPRESSION AND BURNOUT AMONG WOMEN OF KHYBER PUKHTUNKHWA

Abstract

The study aims to improve women's health by fostering gender equity in household management across diverse family structures, encouraging shared responsibility in domestic tasks, and challenging societal norms and expectations related to gender roles. The study uses a mixed-methods approach to gather data from 100 families in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, focusing on work-family balance and burnout. Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21) was used to assess the level of depression among working women while a self-constructed questionnaire was supplemented to gauge emotional exhaustion among them. The results reveal gender-based differences in the share of household responsibilities. Women from rural and urban are equally experiencing depression and are at increased risk of burnout. Women in the nuclear family are more depressed than women in the joint family system. Age and education do not correlate with depression and burnout, but increased burnout leads to increased depression. It is recommended to address women's mental health by promoting the culture of collaboration  in household management, and addressing societal norms and expectations around gender  roles.