Mamoona Mushtaq.
Stress, headache, high blood pressure and self-esteem in working women.
Pak Heart J Jan ;51(2):166-71.

Objective: The current study was conducted to explore the relationship of stress with headache, high blood pressure and self-esteem in working women. Methodology: This cross-sectional study was carried out in Govt MAO College,Lahore, Pakistan from January, 2016 to November, 2016. Sample of the study consisted of married working women and was obtained from different departments of two universities of Lahore. Age range of the research participants was 25-45 years. Demographic information regarding age, monthly income,education, marital status, nature of job, residential area, number of children and family structure of research participants was obtained. Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS) designed to assess depression, anxiety and stress was used . Data on headache experienced during the last 6 months was obtained. People who are diagnosed patients of migraine or any other type of headache disease were excluded from the study. Blood pressure and Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale was used to assess the self-esteem of working women. Results: Total 200 married women were included. Results indicated significant relationship of stress with headache ( = 19.52***, p < .001) and high blood pressure ( =27.56***, p<.001) and self-esteem ( =-10.35***, p<.001)of working women. Similarly, stress had negative correlation with education (r=-.45***, p < .001), monthly income (r = -.38***, p < .001) and significant positive correlation with contractual job (r = -.38***, p < .001.) Similarly,monthly expenses (B = .25***, p <.001), being married (B = .37***, p<.001), more number of dependents(B=.45***, p <.001), contractual job (B= .49***, p <.001), tenure track job (B = .29***, p <.001) and joint family system (B=.38***, p <.001) appeared as positive predictors of headache and high blood pressure, whereas permanent job emerged as negative predictors of headaches (B = .-21***, p <.001) and high blood pressure (B = .-27***, p<.001) in working women. Conclusion: Stress is a significant feature of working women affecting their physical and psychological health. University teachers experience stress,headache and frequently rise in their blood pressure.

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