PSYCHOLOGY OF DOMESTIC SERVANTS A QUALITATIVE RESEARCH

Abstract

Domestic workers constitute an important though neglected segment of the informal economy of developing societies, where the household labor supports the social, economic, and cultural organization. It is qualitative research that sheds light on their inner worlds in terms of emotions, perceptions, coping mechanisms, relationships, and self-identity, but does not focus on quantitative data. In-depth interviews and conversations through purposive sampling have been used to capture a variety of participants who differ in terms of age, gender, migration status, job type, and experience. Some of the themes covered were job satisfaction, employer relations (e.g., respect vs. discrimination), economic pressures, emotional wellbeing and future aspirations. Thematic analysis identified organic patterns based on responses. Early indications are of complicated, ambivalent feelings, which are caused by economic need, social stratifications, and treatment: insecurity, low self-worth, and invisibility versus pride and attachment with dignity being offered, with inequality awareness moderating these feelings. Social networks, religion, humor, and resilience were used as coping mechanisms. The identity, aspirations, and vulnerability are determined by structural factors such as poverty, low levels of education, early entry into workforce, migration, and gender norms, and tend to perceive work as survival with minimal chances of progress.