A Comparative Study on the Mental Health of Women in the Educational and Financial Institutions of Bangladesh

Abstract

Mental health problems considerably contribute to the global burden of noncommunicable chronic diseases. Carrying out obligations and responsibilities both at home and at work overburdens a working woman, resulting in a variety of psychological issues. All of these issues can have a cumulative effect on the mental health of working women. The aim of the study was to assess the mental health status of women in the educational institution between financial institutions of Bangladesh. A comparative cross-sectional study was conducted for three months among the working women, who are involved in teaching and financial institutes in Dhaka city. A semi-structured questionnaire and a systematic random sampling technique were used to collect data using MHI scoring tools for the quantitative study among 62 participants. An in-depth interview was conducted among 8 participants for the qualitative study. 36 MHI items are scored on a six-point scale, and the other two on a five-point scale which indicated six subscales, two global scales and a global Mental Health Index score. The results showed that the participant's mean age was 34.94 years (±4.74). 22.6% of bankers had severe anxiety, 29.0 % severe depression, 3.2% suffered from loss of behavior, 25.8% had a less positive effect in career, 38.7% had weaker emotional life, 64.5% were not satisfied in their daily life activity, 22.6% suffered with less psychological wellbeing, 83.9% bankers had psychological distress syndrome. The qualitative part of the research revealed distinctions xiv between the educational institution and the financial institution. Women employed at financial institutions tend to receive higher salary, financial benefits in comparison to the women working in educational institutions. Most teachers have the ability to allocate sufficient time to spend with their friends and families. All the educational instructors expressed satisfaction with their occupation, however none of the bankers expressed job satisfaction. According to all participants, it was asserted that their respective institutions provide good security infrastructure of female employees. This study found that bankers exhibited higher levels of mental stress in comparison to teachers, due to the long duration of working hours and substantial workload.