GENDER DISPARITIES IN MENTAL HEALTH AMONG MEDIA PROFESSIONALS: A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF FEMALE AND MALE JOURNALISTS
Keywords:
Gender Disparities, Gendered Organizations, Intersectionality, Journalism, Media Mental Health, Occupational Stress, Psychological Well-beingAbstract
This study investigates gender-based disparities in mental health among media professionals in Pakistan, examining how occupational stressors, institutional structures, and socio-cultural expectations shape distinct psychological outcomes for female and male journalists. Grounded in Social Role Theory, Gendered Organization Theory, and Intersectionality, the research employs a mixed-methods design—combining quantitative surveys with qualitative in-depth interviews—to evaluate levels of stress, anxiety, depression, and coping mechanisms across print, broadcast, and digital media platforms. The findings reveal a stark divergence in psychological burden: female media professionals report approximately 20% higher rates of severe psychological distress than their male counterparts. This elevated vulnerability is driven by systemic workplace harassment, structural career limitations, emotional labor, and the double burden of domestic and professional responsibilities. Intersectional analysis further highlights that female journalists from marginalized ethnic, class, or sexual orientation groups face compounded psychological vulnerabilities. Conversely, male journalists face gender-specific barriers rooted in rigid masculinity norms, which discourage emotional expression and help-seeking behaviors, leading to internalized trauma and underreporting of mental health conditions.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Zaheer ud din Babar, Dr. Shafaq Manzoor (Author)
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