TitleEmotional support and well-being of midlife women: role-specific mastery as a mediational mechanism.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication1998
AuthorsMartire, LM, Stephens, MA, Townsend, AL
JournalPsychol Aging
Volume13
Issue3
Pagination396-404
Date Published1998 Sep
ISSN0882-7974
KeywordsAdaptation, Psychological, Adolescent, Adult, Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Caregivers, Child, Child, Preschool, Depression, Emotions, Female, Frail Elderly, Gender Identity, Humans, Infant, Longitudinal Studies, Male, Marriage, Middle Aged, Mother-Child Relations, Parenting, Personal Satisfaction, Personality Inventory, Social Support, Women, Working
Abstract

<p>This study examined the relationships among emotional support, mastery, and well-being for 258 women who simultaneously occupied the roles of wife, mother, parent care provider, and employee. Its primary aim was to determine if a greater sense of mastery in each of these 4 roles could explain the relationship between emotional support from the partner or partners in the same role (the husband, children, impaired parent, or work supervisor) and better psychological well-being (less depressive symptomatology and more life satisfaction). Findings revealed that more emotional support from each of the 4 role partners was related to a greater sense of mastery in that same role. Furthermore, for each of the roles of wife, mother, and employee, role-specific mastery was a mediating mechanism in the relationship between support from the role partner or partners and better well-being.</p>

DOI10.1037//0882-7974.13.3.396
Alternate JournalPsychol Aging
PubMed ID9793116
Grant ListR01 AG 11906 / AG / NIA NIH HHS / United States
T32 MH19986 / MH / NIMH NIH HHS / United States