PSYCHOLOGICAL WELL-BEING OF FEMALE DOMESTIC WORKERS IN URBAN INDIA: THE ROLE OF FAMILY ENVIRONMENT

Abstract

Objective: This study examines how the family environment relates to psychological well-being among female domestic workers in urban India. Methods: Using a cross-sectional design, 400 female domestic workers aged 18–60 years from Varanasi District were recruited via purposive and snowball sampling. Psychological well-being was measured with the 18-item Ryff Scales (RPWB-18), and family environment with the Family Environment Scale (FES)which contain three dimensions (cohesion, expressiveness, conflict). Covariates included age, marital status, education, migration status, living arrangement, work type, hours, income regularity, and exposure to workplace abuse. Analyses used hierarchical multiple regression and moderated mediation (PROCESS Model 7) to test whether family conflict mediates and spousal support moderates the family environment–well-being relationship. This study revealed that Higher family cohesion and expressiveness were positively associated with psychological well-being, while family conflict showed a negative association, controlling for covariates. Spousal support buffered the adverse effect of conflict, and conflict partially mediated the cohesion–well-being link. Conclusions: Interventions enhancing family cohesion and reducing conflict can improve well-being among domestic workers, especially when combined with spousal support strategies. Policy implications include integrating family counseling and social protection with worker welfare programs.