Invisible Barriers: Understanding How Psychological Factors Reinforce Poverty Among Rural Women In India

Abstract

Poverty in rural India has long been examined through economic, educational, and infrastructural lenses. Despite significant investments by NGOs and government organizations in skill - building workshops, healthcare services, and microloans, many women remain trapped in the cycle of poverty. This persistent gap between support and outcome highlights a crucial dimension: the psychological and emotional barriers that reinforce poverty. This research employs quantitative methodology to identify and analyse psychological barriers experienced by rural women in India, examining how these barriers influence their ability to access poverty alleviation programs. Factor analysis revealed five distinct psychological barrier clusters - Social Anxiety and Judgment Fears, Self - Efficacy and Professional Help - Seeking, Family Support and Empowerment, Mental Health and Capacity, and Systemic Barriers and Learning - which together explained 52.867% of the variance. The findings emphasize that traditional poverty alleviation strategies often overlook internal psychological dynamics, and without addressing these dimensions, even well - designed interventions risk falling short.