Recession's Mental Health Challenges for Women

A survey of American women found that more than two thirds are concerned about the economy and its impact on their lives. They are worried about their economic problems and personal finances and may be neglecting themselves while taking care of others.

A random survey of the mental health of women took place by telephone where women were asked about their mental well being and the affect of job cuts and other economic negatives on their personal lives. There were two parts to the survey, one national and the other in Clinton, Ohio where there had been job cuts when DHL, a freight giant, made a reduction in workforce.

In the survey women reported that they were under more stress, frustration and anxiety since the onset of the recession, particularly in those areas of job loss. most tend to prioritize family and other financial responsibilities ahead of their own needs - a tendency that can backfire despite the best of intentions. They cope by putting the needs of their families first, sometimes at the expensive of themselves. That isn't a good idea, according to those involved in mental health.

American Psychological Association's President Nada L. Stotland declares that women need not neglect themselves and should maintain their own health by exercising and eating right. Stotland maintains that stable mental health and taking care of oneself is the key to being able to take good care of the family.

Research reported recently also underlines what is happening with women during the recession. It points out that women are bearing the brunt of the recession by having to assume too many roles, working more both inside and outside the home. The expression by the research, involved with both American and British women, is that women not lose important rights as they become overwhelmed by financial obligations and burdens.

Stay-at-home mothers are affected by the recession. A review of this issue was done in the British press with an article focusing on what mothers staying at home are doing with respect to trying to stay ahead during the economic crisis. What British moms have done is to get a computer and find ways of earning money at home. There is a mini-boom in women making money at home using computers as a result of the deepening economic problems during the recession.

While women continue to look at resources for making money, however, psychological research and advice in the news continues to maintain that to stay afloat in the recession, one still has to take care of one's mental health.

Sources

American Psychiatric Association
psychology.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm
Women's Mental Health Hit Hard by Recession

Fawcett Society
www.fawcettsociety.org.uk/documents/Arewomenbearingtheburdenoftherecession.pdf
Are Women Bearing the Burden of Recession

Mail Online
publish.associatedcontent.com/cms_edit_article.shtml
The rise of the 'mousewife': How mothers at home are using their computers to beat the recession