Gendered Constructions of Workplace Stress: An Interpretative Study of Coping, Role Expectations, and Psychological Outcomes

This qualitative interpretative research focuses on gender differences in the methods of coping with stress and the psychological consequences of the employees of a factory based in Central Punjab. Relying on the Cognitive Vulnerability-Stress Model and Work-Family Conflict Theory, the research examines how men and women experience workplace stress, coping strategies, and psychological implications. A purposive sampling was used to consider a sample of 15 employees. Semi-structured interviews were being conducted in-depth. Thematic analysis has shown that both gender have common organizational stressors but they react to these environments and have varying results. Problem-focused coping and emotional suppression were more commonly found among male employees and were most frequently manifested in the form of irritability and somatic symptoms, whereas female employees were more dependent on emotional expression and social support and reported the presence of more anxiety, emotional exhaustion, and work-family conflict.