Ecological theory was used to develop a more expanded conceptualization of the work-family interface and to identify significant correlates of multiple dimensions of work-family spillover. Using data from employed adults participating in the National Survey of Midlife Development in the United States (N = 1,986), negative spillover from work to family, positive spillover from work to family, negative spillover from family to work, and positive spillover from family to work were found to be distinct work-family experiences. Analyses indicated that work and family factors that facilitated development (e.g., decision latitude, family support) were associated with less negative and more positive spillover between work and family. By contrast, work and family barriers (e.g., job pressure, family disagreements) were associated with more negative spillover and less positive spillover between work and family. In some cases, results differ significantly by gender. Converging social and ideological trends suggest that work-family issues will become increasingly important in the new millennium. Social trends such as increasing participation of women in the workforce (Lemer, 1994; U.S. Bureau of the Census, 1998b), greater numbers of working single-parent and dualearner families (Bumpass, 1990; U.S. Bureau of the Census, 1998a; 211, 1991), and the increasing caregiving needs of an aging population (N. F. Marks, 1996; Myers, 1990) are providing new responsibilities and new challenges to both women and men to blend work and family commitments. Concurrent with these sociohistorical trends, greater numbers of women and men are adopting more egalitarian perspectives on both work and family issues, further

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Consistent with previous studies, findings indicate that having more role-identity absences constitutes a risk factor for poorer psychological well-being. Results further demonstrate that being a formal volunteer can protect older adults with a greater number of major role-identity absences from decreased levels of purpose in life. The findings suggest that associations between volunteering and psychological well-being might be contingent upon the volunteer's role-identity status and the dimension of psychological well-being examined.

Using a life course theoretical framework, this study examined longitudinal effects of continuity and transitions in marital status on multiple dimensions of psychological well-being. Data came from National Survey of Families and Households 1987-1993 respondents ages 19 to 65 ( N = 6,948). Differences between men and women as well as between young and midlife adults were investigated. Multivariate analyses revealed a complex pattern of effects depending on the contrast and the outcome examined. Although marriage continued to promote well-being for both men and women, in some cases—for example, autonomy, personal growth—the single fared better than the married. The effects of continuity in single status were not very different for women in contrast to men. The transition to divorce or widowhood was associated with somewhat more negative effects for women. Midlife adults evidenced more psychological resilience than young adults did in facing the challenges of a marital transition or remaining single over time.

ࡗ Transitions to Caregiving, Gender, and Psychological Well-Being: A Prospective U.S. National Study Guided by a life course perspective, this study examined the effects of transitioning into caregiving activity for a child, spouse, parent, other relative, or nonkin associate on nine dimensions of psychological well-being. Data came from adults ages 19-95, who were noncaregiver primary respondents in the National Survey of Families and Households in 1987-88 and who were followed up longitudinally in 1992-93 ( N ϭ 8,286). Results from multivariate regression models confirmed that the transition to caregiving for primary kin (i.e., a child, spouse, or biological parent) was associated with an increase in depressive symptoms. However in selected instances, caregiving was associated with beneficial effects (e.g., women who began to provide nonresidential care to a biological parent reported more purpose in life than noncaregiving women). Evidence regarding gender differences was inconsistent, varying across caregiving role relationship types.