Life Satisfaction of Working Women in Malaysia, A Southeast Asian Country

Abstract

Women play a critical role in an economic and social well-being of a nation. Therefore, measuring the life satisfaction of women is important to see their view of life. Life satisfaction measures the overall life satisfaction. The study aims to determine whether there are differences in life satisfaction among working women in Malaysian from the perspectives of demographic characteristics. The measure of life satisfaction was based on the Life Satisfaction Scale. A purposive random sampling method was used to choose the sample. The analysis is based on responses from 302 working women. Independent t-test and one-way ANOVA are used to test the variables. Overall, the life satisfaction of the working women was found to be moderate in the study. The results of the study found significant differences in life satisfaction with regard to marital status, age, occupation, income, spouse’s education, and spouse’s income. However, ethnicity, education, spouse’s age, spouse’s occupation and number of children did not show to be significantly different. The Ministry in charge of women, family and society development could provide the necessary assistance to women who are having problems that could affect their life satisfaction. Women who are interested in opening their businesses could also be assisted by the relevant agencies to improve their income. Through this, they can assist their family financially. More policies supporting women should be introduced to assist or strengthen the position of women to move up professionally and socially.