Journal of Advances in Developmental Research

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2026

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The Mental Health Implications of Unequal Growth: A Study of India’s Development Disparities

Author(s) Swati Anandrao Gulavane, Narinder Kour
Country India
Abstract India’s rapid economic expansion over the past three decades has positioned the country among the world’s fastest-growing economies. However, this growth has been spatially and socially uneven, producing sharp disparities across regions, income groups, occupations, and social categories. While economic inequality has been extensively studied in terms of income distribution, employment, and poverty, its psychological and mental health consequences remain underexplored. Unequal growth not only shapes material living conditions but also influences psychosocial well-being through insecurity, relative deprivation, social exclusion, and chronic stress. This study develops a conceptual framework integrating economic and psychological perspectives to examine how development disparities affect mental health outcomes in India. Drawing on theories of economic inequality, relative deprivation, stress psychology, and social comparison, the paper highlights the pathways through which uneven development translates into anxiety, depression, distress, and reduced life satisfaction. The study emphasizes regional inequality, labour market informality, urban–rural divides, and access to public services as critical mediating factors. The framework offers implications for inclusive growth strategies, mental health policy, and regional development planning, arguing that economic growth divorced from equity can undermine human well-being and long-term social stability.
Keywords Unequal Growth, Development Disparities, Mental Health, Economic Inequality, Psychology, India, Regional Development.
Published In Volume 17, Issue 1, January-June 2026
Published On 2026-01-31
Cite This The Mental Health Implications of Unequal Growth: A Study of India’s Development Disparities - Swati Anandrao Gulavane, Narinder Kour - IJAIDR Volume 17, Issue 1, January-June 2026. DOI 10.71097/IJAIDR.v17.i1.1686
DOI https://doi.org/10.71097/IJAIDR.v17.i1.1686
Short DOI https://doi.org/hbqbwd
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