The Influence of Occupational Status on Role Conflict in Women

Abstract

Questionnaires on eight role‐conflict categories (time management, relations with husband, household management, financial, child care, expectations for self, expectations of others, and guilt) were administered to 518 women. A role‐conflict hierarchy was established, those areas centering around the woman's view of herself being the most stressful. Level of occupational status was found to be a significant variable in six of the categories. Professional women and housewives tended to give similar responses and to demonstrate the least amount of role conflict. Implications of this study for counselors were discussed.