The present paper discusses the nature of self and its relationship with the mental health problems in women. Data were collected through in-depth interviews. Twenty women in the age range of 30 to 45 years were interviewed using an open ended interview schedule. The nature of self was assessed using Singeli's Self Construal Scale (1994). The women in the sample reported that mental health problems in women originate from the psychosocial causes such as role conflicts, role expectations and role burden. Sixty-seven per cent women showed an inclination towards independent self whereas thirty-seven per cent reflected an interdependent self. The results on in depth interviews however, showed that they felt pressurized to adhere to the traditional social roles and norms. Women despite willing to adapt individual selves could not do so because of the guilt induced by the family and society for not following a traditional image thereby reflecting interrelation self of women in Indian society. This state of confusion was a major cause of mental health problems in women. The implications of the study were discussed in the light of past researches.

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