Geography and Regional Planning

Geography and Regional Planning

Sociological explanation of quality of life and its role in social acceptance of working women in Arak city

Authors
Maryam Mohsenabadi
Masoumeh Motlagh
Faranak Seyedi
Department of Sociology, Arak Branch. Islamic Azad University, Arak, Iran.
10.22034/jgeoq.2025.536538.4305
Abstract
Quality of life, as a multidimensional indicator, reflects the economic, social, cultural, and psychological status of individuals in society and can play a decisive role in the social acceptance of working women. In Arak, as one of the industrial and immigrant centers of the country, structural changes in the labor market and cultural developments make it necessary to examine this issue sociologically. The main issue of the present study is to identify the relationship between the dimensions of quality of life (economic, psychological, social, and health) and the level of social acceptance of working women in this city. The main goal is to explain how quality of life indicators affect the social acceptance of working women and provide a scientific analysis of the link between their livelihood status and social status. The central question of the research is: "What effect does the quality of life of working women in Arak have on their level of social acceptance? This study was conducted with a descriptive-analytical approach and survey method. The statistical population includes working women aged 20 to 60 in Arak, 300 of whom were selected through stratified random sampling. The data collection tool was the World Health Organization Quality of Life Standard Questionnaire (WHOQOL-BREF) and the localized social acceptability scale. The data were analyzed using Pearson correlation tests and multivariate regression. The findings showed that there is a positive and significant relationship between overall quality of life and social acceptability of working women (p<0.01). Economic dimensions and social support had the greatest impact in explaining social acceptability. The results indicate that improving working conditions, improving job security, and strengthening support networks can lead to increased social status and acceptance of working women. These results highlight the need for social policies and urban planning based on improving women's quality of life to strengthen social capital and reduce gender discrimination.
Keywords
Sociological explanation
quality of life
social acceptability
working women
Arak city
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