Comparison of Overall and Domain-Specific Psychological Well-Being Between Homemakers and Employed Women: A Cross-Sectional Study From Perambalur District, Tamil Nadu

Background Women's psychological well-being (PWB) is influenced by various factors, including their occupational status and social roles. In India, where traditional and modern roles often intersect, understanding the PWB of homemakers and employed women is crucial for developing targeted mental health interventions. This study aimed to compare the overall and domain-specific PWB between homemakers and employed women in the Perambalur district, Tamil Nadu, using the 18-item Ryff's PWB Scale (PWBS). Methodology A cross-sectional study was conducted among 308 women (172 homemakers and 136 employed women) in the Perambalur district, Tamil Nadu, using convenience sampling. The 18-item Ryff's PWBS was used to assess PWB across six domains: autonomy, environmental mastery, personal growth, positive relations with others, purpose in life, and self-acceptance. Sociodemographic information was collected using a structured questionnaire. The internal consistency of the scale was assessed using Cronbach's alpha (α = 0.682, standardized α = 0.709). Data were analyzed using independent t-tests for overall scores and multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) for domain-specific comparisons. Results Homemakers demonstrated slightly higher overall PWB scores (69.35 ± 6.595) compared to employed women (68.21 ± 6.046), though this difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.121). MANOVA revealed significant multivariate effects of working status on PWB domains (Pillai's Trace = 0.071, p = 0.001, partial η² = 0.071). Significant differences were found in self-acceptance (p = 0.001, partial η² = 0.048), with homemakers scoring higher, and autonomy (p = 0.050, partial η² = 0.012), where employed women scored higher. Sociodemographic analysis revealed that employed women were predominantly from urban areas (80, 75.5%) and higher socioeconomic classes (n = 31, 73.8% in Class 1 and n = 49, 69% in Class 2), while homemakers were more prevalent in rural areas (146, 72.3%) and lower socioeconomic classes. Conclusion The study reveals that occupational status influences specific domains of PWB rather than overall well-being scores. While homemakers demonstrated higher self-acceptance, employed women showed greater autonomy. The absence of significant differences in other domains suggests that both groups can achieve PWB through different pathways. These findings highlight the need for targeted mental health interventions that consider occupational status, socioeconomic factors, and geographical location when addressing women's PWB. Future public health initiatives should focus on enhancing domain-specific strengths while addressing potential vulnerabilities in both groups.