Psychosocial Stressor and Coping Mechanism among Female Ready-Made Garment (RMG) Workers in Dhaka, Bangladesh
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.69728/jst.v12.69Keywords:
Mental health, Psychosocial Stressors, Female RMG Workers, Coping MechanismAbstract
Post-economic liberalization in Bangladesh after 1975 led to the emergence of an export-oriented
Ready-Made Garment (RMG) industry, predominantly employing women. This paper analyzes
the stressors faced by these workers and their coping mechanisms from a mental health
perspective, utilizing Hans Selye's General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS) model. Departing from
existing research that often adopts a clinical lens, this study takes a holistic approach to explore
the multifaceted mental health challenges encountered by female RMG workers, situating them
within the broader socioeconomic and structural context of the industry. The study identifies
and examines a range of stressors inherent to the RMG work environment, including exploitative
labor practices, precarious employment conditions, social stigma, and familial pressures.
Furthermore, it investigates the diverse coping mechanisms adopted by women workers, which
encompass individual resilience strategies and collective solidarity initiatives within their
communities and workplaces. In contrast to conventional paradigms, this research emphasizes
the need to consider the mental health of workers not only at an individual level but also in
relation to its interconnections with broader socioeconomic determinants that shape their well
being. By situating mental health within the nexus of globalization, labor market dynamics, and
gendered power structures, the findings provide critical insights into the nuanced complexities
of mental health challenges faced by the women. The implications of this research extend beyond
academic discourse, offering significant relevance for policymakers, practitioners, and
stakeholders engaged in social and economic development, public health interventions, and labor
rights advocacy. The study underscores the imperative of adopting a holistic approach to address
the mental health needs of marginalized communities in the garment industry and beyond, and
offers actionable insights to inform evidence-based policy interventions and grassroots initiatives
aimed at promoting mental health resilience and socioeconomic empowerment among working
women.
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