The Intersection of Paid Employment and Unpaid Household Work: Review of Literature on the Impact of Double Burden on Women's Mental Health

The empowerment of women is of utmost importance; nonetheless, women frequently face role conflicts between their professional responsibilities and their domestic responsibilities. As a result of the demands of juggling professional commitments with unpaid domestic chores, women find themselves confronted with major mental health challenges. Women continue to fulfil the bulk of unpaid caregiving and home chores while also participating in the labor force, notwithstanding the progress that has been made in the area of gender equality. This review paper makes use of a process known as a systematic literature review in order to synthesize the most recent studies about the impact of work and unpaid domestic labor on the mental health to which women are exposed. According to research, the "double burden" that women experience as they attempt to balance the competing demands of their professional and family responsibilities is a factor that contributes to increased levels of stress, anxiety, burnout, and hopelessness. There are a number of factors that greatly contribute to the phenomenon of the double load. These factors include the unequal division of household responsibilities, the gender-role expectations of society, and the absence of employment laws such as paid family leave and accessible childcare. Conflict between job and family is a significant component that contributes to the mental health problems that women experience. This conflict occurs when the needs of one domain interfere with those of the other domain. The findings of gender studies, psychology, and sociology are incorporated into this analysis in order to shed light on the cumulative psychological impact of balancing paid and unpaid employment positions. This highlights the necessity of structural reforms in workplace legislation, cultural norms, and the division of domestic labor in order to relieve the mental health issues that are experienced by working women.