TitleChange in the centrality of women's multiple roles: effects of role stress and rewards.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2002
AuthorsNorton, TR, Stephens, MAnn Parris, Martire, LM, Townsend, AL, Gupta, A
JournalJ Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci
Volume57
Issue1
PaginationS52-62
Date Published2002 Jan
ISSN1079-5014
KeywordsAged, Aged, 80 and over, Caregivers, Female, Humans, Middle Aged, Parents, Reward, Role, Social Behavior, Stress, Psychological
Abstract

<p><b>OBJECTIVES: </b>To examine (a) change versus stability over one year in four social roles occupied by 182 midlife women (parent care provider, mother, wife and employee), (b) increases in role stress and increases in role rewards as predictors of change in centrality, and (c) whether increases in stress or increases in rewards were stronger predictors when the 2 were considered simultaneously.</p><p><b>METHOD: </b>Interviews were conducted at 2 time points approximately 1 year apart. Participants were asked to rate the personal importance of each role on a scale of 1 to 10. Stress and rewards in each role were also assessed.</p><p><b>RESULTS: </b>Analyses revealed considerable change in role centrality, especially in the parent-care and employee roles. Increases in wife and employee stress were associated with decreases in the centrality of these roles, whereas increases in rewards in each of the four roles were related to increases in the centrality of the respective roles. When considered simultaneously, role rewards were stronger predictors of change in centrality than role stress.</p><p><b>DISCUSSION: </b>These findings suggest that the centrality of a social role can change over time in response to stressful and rewarding role experiences.</p>

DOI10.1093/geronb/57.1.s52
Alternate JournalJ Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci
PubMed ID11773233
Grant ListHL65112 / HL / NHLBI NIH HHS / United States
P30 MH52247 / MH / NIMH NIH HHS / United States
P50 HL65111 / HL / NHLBI NIH HHS / United States
R01 AG 11906 / AG / NIA NIH HHS / United States
R25 MH60473 / MH / NIMH NIH HHS / United States