Women have to deal with more mental burdens and responsibilities than men and as such are subjected to a significantly higher level of stress, a British study claims. The study conducted by a women's self-help network based in London shows the levels of stress associated with specific age groups.
Women are subjected to different forms of stress as soon as they enter adulthood, according to the study, which establishes specific age ranges corresponding to different stressors. Most of them are strongly correlated with the mental load that women regularly face.
"Women are under intense social pressure to succeed in many areas of their lives,” Tessy Ojo, founder of the support group Tessy's Brunches, told RTBF. “Trying to meet these expectations imposes an enormous psychological burden [...]. If we want to improve the situation, the first step is certainly to recognise the existence of these barriers to women's success and happiness."
Three distinct types
With the exception of money, which is of similar concern to all of the 1000 respondents, the survey identifies three distinct periods of life.
The majority of 21 to 34-year-olds are worried about their mental health, careers and friendships. Between the ages of 45 and 54, romantic relationships are the most pressing of their concerns. And after 65 years, respondents say they are mainly worried about their family.
This research traces the important stages of a woman's life: a career and the desire to evolve while worrying about success or failure, the wish – or for some, the pressure – to start a family, while in later life concerns about a possible divorce or remarriage can occur. It is also not uncommon for women to become the primary caregivers for one of their family members; several studies show the majority of caregivers in families are women.
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Associating these crucial moments of life with the stress felt by women puts the myth of the "wonder woman" into perspective. In other words, the societal perception that a woman "must succeed" in all these areas (professional, family, friendly) despite the psychological pressures that weigh on their shoulders.
Although this survey was conducted in the UK, the pressure on women's mental health has no boundaries and does not recognise borders. It is estimated that eight in ten women in most European countries are affected in the same way, at home and at work.
