Women's Work and its Effects on Personal Wellbeing and Satisfaction with Life: A Cross-Sectional Comparative Study

BACKGROUND: Women's participation in the workforce has increased substantially, raising important questions about how employment is associated with their subjective well-being and satisfaction with life. This study aimed to assess differences in personal well-being and life satisfaction between working and non-working women and to identify their significant socio-demographic and occupational predictors. METHODS: A cross-sectional comparative study was conducted among 402 women (192 working, 210 non-working) attending outpatient clinics at Mansoura University and primary healthcare centers. Data were collected using an interviewer-administered questionnaire covering sociodemographic factors, occupational characteristics, the Personal Well-being Index-Adult (PWI-A), and the Life Satisfaction Scale(LSS). Bivariate and binary logistic regression analyses identified the independent predictors. RESULTS: Working women reported significantly higher well-being (PWI-A: 72.06 ± 13.03) and life satisfaction (LSS: 21.52 ± 5.76) than non-working women (PWI-A: 67.42 ± 10.14; LSS: 17.55 ± 5.91). University education (AOR = 2.81) and sufficient income (AOR = 2.94) were strong predictors of higher wellbeing. Subjective well-being (AOR = 21.67) was a significant predictor of life satisfaction. Among working women, professional (AOR = 4.76) and administrative/technical occupations (AOR = 7.40), and absence of shift work (AOR = 6.53) were associated with better wellbeing. Shorter working hours (≤40 h/week; AOR = 14.34) were linked to higher life satisfaction. CONCLUSION: In Mansoura, working women exhibit higher subjective well-being and life satisfaction than non-working women. These outcomes were associated with education, income, and occupational conditions. Improving work conditions may contribute to better well-being among working women.