Derived Identity and Depressive Symptomatology in Women Differing in Marital and Employment Status

Abstract

Derived identity, defined as a sense of self that is overly influenced by and dependent upon relationships with significant others, and depressive symptomatology, measured by the CES‐D scale, were assessed in a sample of 564 adult women classified into one of six marital‐employment status groups: married professional, single professional, married nonprofessional, single nonprofessional, married nonemployed, and single nonemployed. Married women were found to report more derived identity than single women and when age effects were controlled, married women also had higher CES‐D scores than single women. Employment status results in aggregate indicated that for women of equal education: (1) employment outside the home, whether it be professional or non‐professional, is related to a more autonomous sense of self than nonemployment and (2) employment outside the home is not associated with lower CES‐D scores than nonemployment. Derived identity and depression were also found to be significantly correlated within the total sample and within each marital‐employment status group.

Mental health effects of women's multiple roles.

“…Involvement in multiple roles has been found to offer certain benefits. Some women with multiple identities have reported superior health (Mostow & Newberry, 1975; Thoits, 1983; Verbrugge, 1983; Waldron & Herold, 1986); some employed women have a more autonomous sense of self as a result of working (Meisenhelder, 1986; Warren & McEachren, 1985), and a number of dual-career families rate their life-styles positively (Skinner, 1980). Verbrugge and Madans (1985) found that the healthiest women have multiple roles—a job, husband, and often children.…”

Cognitive-behavioural therapy with a feminist orientation: A perspective for therapy with depressed women.

“…Although cautioning that there is no proven link to depression, Nolen-Hoeksema (1990) concluded there is evidence that women rely more than men on external feedback in making self-evaluations. Warren and McEachren (1985), however, found that deriving identity from significant others is correlated with more symptoms of depression in women. Women's external focus is also manifested in putting the needs of others first; for example, women are expected to experience vicarious achievements through their husbands and children (Birnbaum, 1975).…”

Postpartum Depression and the Experience of Motherhood

“…Working-class mothers are more likely to be depressed if they are not employed (25). Full-time housewivesbe they mothers or notare more likely to feel under stress (214), to be depressed (215, 216,217,218), and thus to be prescribedand actually takingpsychotropic drugs (75,219,220) than women working for a salary. The association between employment status and psychological well-being is not a linear one.…”