Assessing Mental Workload in Rural Women: A Heart Rate Variability Analysis of Working Women vs. Homemakers

Mental workload is a growing health concern among rural women in developing nations where traditional family responsibilities often overlap with emerging professional roles. his study quantitatively assessed mental workload in 80 rural women (40 working women and 40 homemakers, aged 25-40) from Hisar district, India, using Heart Rate Variability (HRV) during breakfast preparation. HRV measurements were recorded using a Polar H10 chest belt during breakfast preparation on both working days and holidays. Time-domain (RMSSD, SDNN, SD1) and frequency-domain (LF/HF ratio) parameters were analyzed along with stress indices. Working women showed higher mental workload than homemakers, with elevated mean heart rate (91.5±7.5 vs. 90.9±7.4 bpm), reduced RMSSD (14.8±4.6 vs. 15.8±4.7 ms), and increased stress index (22.1±6.2 vs. 21.5±5.3), though differences were not always statistically significant. Family composition and additional responsibilities significantly influence mental workload patterns across both groups. The study provides empirical evidence that working women experience comparatively higher physiological stress during domestic tasks than homemakers, particularly on working days, highlighting the need for interventions like workload redistribution or stress management programs to enhance work-life balance.