Impact of gender discrimination on young Indian women’s mental health: do benevolent childhood experiences play any role?
Mental Health and Social Inclusion
ISSN: 2042-8308
Article publication date: 21 November 2023
Issue publication date: 2 December 2024
Abstract
Purpose
Gender discrimination exists in various settings globally and harms women’s mental health. This study aims to understand the impact of gender discrimination on hopelessness and emotional vulnerability. Further, we attempted to determine whether benevolent childhood experiences (BCEs) moderate the relationships of gender discrimination with hopelessness and emotional vulnerability.
Design/methodology/approach
Data from 445 young women from India was gathered from a cross-sectional survey. Measures included gender discrimination inventory, Beck’s hopelessness inventory, emotional vulnerability scale and BCE scale.
Findings
Results yielded a significant positive association of gender discrimination with hopelessness and emotional vulnerability. BCEs were negatively related to hopelessness, emotional vulnerability and gender discrimination. Further, gender discrimination predicted increased feelings of hopelessness and emotional vulnerability. However, BCEs do not neutralize the effect of gender discrimination.
Social implications
It is evident from this study that gender discrimination exists independent of socioeconomic class, domicile and educational qualification, taking a toll on women’s well-being and mental health. Incorporating attitudinal changes at the community and societal level in reducing gender norms responsible for negative outcomes will allow women to function to their full capacity and experience improved mental health.
Originality/value
The research on gender discrimination and its impact on women’s mental health is limited, especially exploring the role of BCEs. Previous studies have indicated that BCEs have protective roles in neutralizing adversities. However, the present study uniquely contributes to establishing the limited role of BCEs in the context of gender discrimination, though it contributes to mental health. The policy and psychosocial implications of the study are discussed.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
Conflict of interest: All authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest.
Data availability statement: The data supporting this study’s findings are available on reasonable request from the corresponding author.
Since submission of this article, the following author has updated their affiliation: Jyoti Sharma is also at the Chitkara School of Psychology and Counselling, Chitkara University, Rajpura, India.
Citation
Jadhav, B.N., Padma Sri Lekha, P., Abdul Azeez, E.P., Sharma, J., Yadav, A. and Begam J., M. (2024), "Impact of gender discrimination on young Indian women’s mental health: do benevolent childhood experiences play any role?", Mental Health and Social Inclusion, Vol. 28 No. 5, pp. 857-868. https://doi.org/10.1108/MHSI-09-2023-0104
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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