ANXIETY DISORDERS AMONG HOMEMAKERS ATTENDING PSYCHIATRY OUTPATIENT DEPARTMENT: A CROSS-SECTIONAL OBSERVATIONAL STUDY

Abstract

ABSTRACT 
Background: Anxiety symptoms are common mental health concerns among women and may remain underrecognized 
among homemakers. Daily domestic responsibilities, financial dependency, family conflict, caregiving burden, limited 
social support, sleep disturbance, and exposure to domestic violence may contribute to emotional distress and greater 
symptom severity. 
Aim: To evaluate anxiety severity and associated psychosocial factors among homemakers attending a psychiatry 
outpatient department. 
Methods: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted among 122 homemakers aged 20–60 years attending a 
psychiatry outpatient department. Sociodemographic characteristics, family structure, sleep patterns, and psychosocial 
stressors were recorded. Each participant underwent mental status examination and anxiety severity assessment using the 
Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A). Data were analysed using SPSS software version 20. A chi-square test and 
independent t-test were applied as appropriate, and a p-value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. 
Results: The mean age of the participants was 38.2 ± 8.6 years, and the majority belonged to the 31–45-year age group. 
Moderate anxiety was observed in 56 (45.9%) participants and severe anxiety in 24 (19.7%). Excessive worry and sleep 
disturbance were the most frequently reported symptoms. Family conflict, financial stress, lack of social support, domestic 
violence, and sleep disturbances showed significant association with greater anxiety severity. 
Conclusion: Moderate-to-severe anxiety symptoms were common among homemakers attending the psychiatry 
outpatient department and were associated with important psychosocial stressors. Routine enquiry regarding family 
difficulties, financial stress, violence, social support, and sleep complaints may assist in planning comprehensive 
psychiatric care.