Women, Domestic Roles and Mental Well-being: Challenges to Self-Care of Women in Indian Society

Abstract

Abstract This paper explores the relationship between women’s domestic roles and their mental well-being in Indian households. Women are often expected to manage household responsibilities while placing their own needs last, which creates stress, burnout, and limited opportunities for self-care. The study examines how gendered expectations within the family restrict time, autonomy, and access to mental health support for women. It argues that poor mental health among women is not just an individual issue but a result of social and cultural pressures tied to domestic work. The paper concludes by highlighting the need for greater recognition of women’s unpaid labour and for support systems that encourage self-care as essential to women’s well-being.