The Impact of Invisible Labor: Examining Cognitive Overload and Burnout in Working Women in India

Abstract

Invisible labor refers to the unpaid and unrecognized emotional, mental, and physical work in managing a household and performing caregiving tasks. It is disproportionately undertaken by working women with young children in the domestic setup, which leads to psychological strain. This study examined the associations between invisible labor, cognitive overload, and burnout among Indian working women with young children aged 6 and below. Using structural equational modelling and mediation analysis on 43 women who met the demographic criteria, the results of this study indicate that invisible labor significantly predicts cognitive overload and burnout which validates the Cognitive Load Theory, suggesting that excessive mental demands when crossing the threshold of one’s cognitive capacity can lead to burnout. The study emphasizes the need to devise culturally sensitive interventions to address the detrimental psychological implications experienced by working mothers in India due to invisible labor.