Stress, coping and adjustment in dual-employed families.
Date
1991
Authors
Kelly, Heather Joan
Journal Title
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Volume Title
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Abstract
This study evaluates the utility of a stress-coping paradigm for
explaining differences in psychological adjustment to stress among
duel-employed family members. Specifically, a model of stress was applied
that encompassed a single stressful dual-employed family event, the
degree of perceived stressfulness of this event, dual-employed family
coping and five dimensions of personal adjustment (two work indicators,
two family attitudes and one individual measure). This model was used
to assess the mechanisms through which dual-employed family stress and
coping are linked to psychological outcomes through two effects.
first being the main effect which states that stress and coping have a
uniform effect on well-being, independent of one another. The second
being the moderator effect which says that coping moderates the impact
of stressful episodes depending on the type, or degree, of stress
encountered. Two procedures were applied for analysing data. Firstly,
content analysis was applied to the single stressful life events measure
and from this the existence of seven forms of dual-employed family stress
were established, namely, occupational, domestic chore, child-care, role
overload, marital, financial, and stressors arising from external systems
encompassed under the label "other". Secondly, moderated multiple
regression analyses were conducted to assess the relationship between
each dependent, independent and moderator variable and provided
statistical support for the operation of both main and moderator effects.
This support, however, was found to vary according to context and level
of stressfulness of the events. The limitations of the present study are
noted as well as the practical and theoretical implications. Furthermore ,
the implications for future research on stress, coping and adjustment
among dual-employed families are considered.
Description
Dissertation submitted to the Faculty of Arts,
University of the Witwatersrand,
for the degree of Master of Arts.
Keywords
Dual-career families -- South Africa., Work and family -- South Africa., Working mothers -- South Africa., Stress (Psychology) -- South Africa., Adjustment (Psychology)