Mental Health in relation to Autonomy amongst Women of Reproductive age in Slums of Meerut.

Vertika Agarwal; Seema Jain; Sunil Kumar Garg; Ganesh Singh; Chhaya Mittal

Volume : IX, Issue : VI, June - 2020

Mental Health in relation to Autonomy amongst Women of Reproductive age in Slums of Meerut.

Vertika Agarwal, Seema Jain, Sunil Kumar Garg, Ganesh Singh, Chhaya Mittal

Abstract :

Autonomy, defined as the right of person to make decision for herself/himself, is an important psychosocial determinant of mental health which is often ignored. Lack of autonomy leads to dissatisfaction, low self–esteem and confidence which in turn severely affect their mental health. So, this study was undertaken to assess mental health of women in reproductive age residing in an urban area of Meerut and to study the impact of autonomy on it. This was a cross–sectional study where 266 women in reproductive age were interviewed using a predesigned pretested questionnaire regarding socio–demographic and autonomy profile. The mental health status of these women was assessed using Self– Reporting Questionnaire–20. It was found that 24.2% women had poor mental health and poor mental health of these women was significantly associated with poor autonomy in life