Exploring Domestic helper as A Psychological Stressor and Domestic Female Employers as a Victim of Exploitation: A Phenomenological Study

Abstract

The present study aimed to explore the factors related to experiences of exploitation as a stressor, appointed domestic helper, patterns of exploitation, demands, psycho-emotional tactics, and level of awareness regarding the rights of domestic helpers among working and nonworking domestic employer females. To explore the subjective lived experiences of the research participants regarding domestic helpers, a phenomenological research design was used. Based on purposive sampling methods, 20 female employers in Islamabad and Rawalpindi were selected to participate in the semi-structured interview protocol to explore their subjective lived experiences regarding domestic helpers. After the data was collected, the participants' responses were analyzed considering the thematic analysis scheme. There were six main themes were derived, qualities in domestic helpers, emotional distress due to the dispute and crime, threats about quitting the job, prevention to resolve psychological and emotional tactics, preventive measures to be taken while hiring, and legal rights of domestic helpers. The finding of this study will help the psychologist counselor, social workers, and policymakers’ makers of domestic helpers be aware of their manipulation tactics.