Working women and nonworking women on emotional intelligence and perceived stress

Study by MSU students to understand the perception of stress difference in both as well as emotional intelligence.

A study was conducted by the students of MSU to understand if the perception of stress differs with married working women and married non-working women and compare their emotional intelligence. The study was carried by students of psychology department under the guidance of Dr Gitanjali Roy, Assistant Professor in Department of Psychology, Faculty of Education and psychology, The Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda.

Over a period of a decade, India has seen a change in roles of married women from homemaker to CEO, medical practitioner, law enforcer, professor and others. There has been a considerable increase in number of educational and professional facets and job opportunities for females in various sectors. Women opt for traditional and contemporary professions to acquire self-identity, earn money, and create a social identity.

However stress and emotional instability comes with these perks and even non-working women experience stress. It affects their psychological and physical health, and affects their family members. Few women find ways to maintain their work-life balance while few find it difficult, due to lack of emotional intelligence. A high emotional intelligence helps in dealing with stress.

Out of the total samples, 44% were working (teachers, medical practitioners, employees in various organisations) and 56% were non-working women (home-maker). The study by the students indicates that both working and non-working women perceive stress in the same way, but working women have higher emotional intelligence than non-working women. They manage their stress with innovative and creative techniques. It helps them to overcome stressful situations, remain well-adjusted and maintain a healthy work-life balance.

The researcher believes that awareness and training on skills to develop Emotional Intelligence for women will help them to manage stress in various creative and innovative manners.

• Stress lead to constant worry, memory problems and negative attitude.
• It causes emotional and behavioural problems like anxiety, unhappiness, eating problem, sleep problem, addiction, pains, migraine etc.
• Stress can affect anyone at any time, and it should be treated by professionals like counsellors and clinical psychologists.
• Few and common cause of stress for married working women are fulfil the roles of wife, mother, and an employee with or without social support.
• Few and common cause of stress for married non-working women are dealing with husband, in-laws and other family members, household chores, unable to cater to their hobbies and interests.
• Emotional intelligence is our ability to understand and monitor emotions of self and others. It is different from academic intelligence.
• It involves skills for self and social wellbeing like self-awareness, self-management, and social-awareness.
• Developing these skills leads to a better stress management and a positive wellbeing.
• It can be increased by recreational activities such as painting, meeting friends, join some fellowship group, playing musical instruments, tailoring, baking etc.