Deconstructing Religious Legitimacy in the Patriarchal Sytem: Implications for Women’s Double Burden and Mental Health

Abstract

Patriarchal discourse in domestic life has been widely discussed from the perspectives of gender inequality and the division of domestic roles. However, studies that specifically synthesize the relationship between religious legitimacy, women's double burden, and mental health remain limited. This study aims to analyze how the literature explains the construction of patriarchal domestic roles, the use of religious legitimacy in maintaining these roles, and their implications for women's mental health. This research employed a qualitative approach using a narrative literature review. Data were collected from scholarly journal articles, books, and Qur'anic exegesis relevant to patriarchy, gender, religious interpretation, and mental health published between 2015 and 2025. The selected literature was analyzed using thematic content analysis to identify recurring themes and conceptual relationships. The analysis produced three major themes. First, patriarchal domestic constructions are consistently described as placing women in primary domestic responsibilities while, in many contexts, simultaneously carrying productive roles. Second, several studies indicate that religious texts are frequently interpreted within socio-cultural contexts that reinforce gendered domestic expectations, although alternative contextual interpretations emphasizing reciprocity and justice are also widely discussed. Third, the reviewed literature consistently associates prolonged domestic role imbalance with emotional exhaustion, psychological stress, and diminished psychological well-being. This study contributes by integrating discussions on patriarchal domestic structures, religious legitimacy, and women's mental health into a single analytical framework, thereby providing a more comprehensive conceptual understanding for future gender and religious studies.