Stress and rewards in women's multiple roles: the case of women in the middle.
This research examined stress and rewards experienced by 95 women who were simultaneously occupying the roles of caregiver, mother, and wife. The study examined role-specific stress and rewards as predictors of well-being (physical health, positive affect, negative affect, and role overload) and examined the effects of an accumulation of role stress and role rewards across these 3 roles. Role rewards contributed unique variance to well-being, even after role stress had been considered. An accumulation of role stress across roles was related to poorer well-being, whereas an accumulation of role rewards was related to better well-being. Findings indicated that caregivers' experiences in multiple roles could both detract from and enhance their mental and physical health.
Stephens
M A
MA
Department of Psychology, Kent State University, Ohio 44242-0001.
Franks
M M
MM
Townsend
A L
AL
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001294:Attitude to Health; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology*; D003220:Conflict, Psychological; D017281:Cost of Illness; D005260:Female; D016330:Frail Elderly / Q000523:psychology*; D005783:Gender Identity; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016487:Parenting / Q000523:psychology; D011788:Quality of Life; D012201:Reward; D012944:Social Support; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000150:complications*