Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Faculty Publications Article Faculty Publications -Articles Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource John, Ashima; Tushir, Bhawna; Srivastava, Akancha Title A name given to the resource Untold Stories from the Slums: A Qualitative Exploration of the Lives of Female Informal Waste Workers Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 01-01-2025 Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Human Arenas; Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context <a href="https://doi.org/10.1007/s42087-025-00474-1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://doi.org/10.1007/s42087-025-00474-1</a> <br /><br /><a href="https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/85217196063?origin=resultslist" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/85217196063?origin=resultslist</a> Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant John A., Department of Psychology, CHRIST (Deemed to be University), NCR, Delhi, India; Tushir B., Department of Psychology, CHRIST (Deemed to be University), NCR, Delhi, India; Srivastava A., Jindal School of Psychology and Counselling, O.P. Jindal Global University, Haryana, Sonipat, India Description An account of the resource The present study investigates the nuanced experiences of urban informal waste workers, shedding light on the intricate realities shaping their daily lives. Employing purposive sampling, in-depth interviews were conducted, specifically targeting female participants aged eighteen and above, engaged in informal waste work for a minimum duration of one year. A total of ten in-depth interviews were meticulously executed, with recordings subsequently translated and transcribed for thorough analysis. Utilizing Braun and Clarks thematic analysis method, a comprehensive examination of the data yielded a hierarchical structure comprising codes, sub-themes, and overarching themes. The central themes identified encapsulate the multifaceted challenges encountered by urban informal waste workers, including Occupational Hardships and Vulnerability, Economic Struggles and Diminished Quality of Life, Commitment to Family, Emotional and Psychosocial Challenges, Appreciation and Acknowledgment of Support Received, Decreased Willingness to seek help, and Aspirations and Hopes for the future. By amplifying the voices of these marginalized workers, this study advocates for the implementation of inclusive policies and interventions tailored to address their diverse needs within the urban milieu. Through its findings, the study aims to cultivate a more compassionate and supportive environment that not only recognizes the invaluable contributions of urban informal waste workers but also strives to enhance their overall well-being and socio-economic standing. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2025. Subject The topic of the resource Economic struggles; Marginalized communities; Mental health; Occupational vulnerabilities; Resilience; Urban informal waste workers Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Springer Science and Business Media B.V. Relation A related resource ISSN: 25225804; Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Article Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Restricted Access; Hardcopy may be available in the library Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource online