Sweden is a country in which 86 per cent of women are in the workforce, but the division of labour between spouses at home has remained much the same. In addition to their family responsibilities, other factors also tend to make women more vulnerable to work-related stress. The survey found that stress affects women more than men, and that they are significantly more likely to report burnout, stress-related illnesses or a desire to resign from their jobs. The researchers suggested several reasons for this. In the first place, women are often paid less than men for their work, even if they have college degrees.
Many organizations also lack policies which respond to family issues.
Single women with children, along with low-paid college graduates, are at highest risk of burnout. Some 50 per cent of single women with children reported burnout, compared to 31 per cent of married women with children. The costs of stress Because stress is so widespread, it has a very high cost for individuals, companies and organizations, and for society. For the individual , in addition to the devastating impact of the serious health impairments referred to above, the loss of capacity to cope with working and social situations can lead to less success at work, including loss of career opportunities and even employment. It can give rise to greater strain in family relationships and with friends.