Number and Quality of Roles: A Longitudinal Personality View

Helson, Ravenna; Elliott, Teresa; Leigh, Janet

doi:10.1111/j.1471-6402.1990.tb00006.x

Cited by 46 publications

(28 citation statements)

References 21 publications

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“…Results of this study emphasize the need to examine the quality as well as the quantity of roles when determining psychological well-being of midlife women (Baruch & Barnett, 1986). Another study supported this conclusion by showing that, after age 21, increasing the number of roles women held did not have significant effects on wellbeing, but the quality of those roles, as assessed by marital satisfaction and status level achieved in the workforce, was associated with contentment and effective functioning (Helson, Elliot, & Leigh, 1990). Thus, it seems that wellbeing can be predicted only by considering the multiple factors that influence a woman's experience of her roles.…”

Section: Roles Of Women At Midlifementioning

confidence: 61%

Women at Midlife: Implications for Theories of Women's Adult Development

Lippert

1997

Jour of Counseling & Develop

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Research on midlife transitions in women is reviewed, and implications for theories of women's adult development are discussed. Findings on menopause, the postparental period, and the roles of women at midlife are presented. Research on women at midlife suggests that new theoretical models of women's adult development should continue to emerge to accommodate the diversity of women's experiences at midlife. Several theoretical approaches are discussed in light of the research findings, and recommendations are made for future research on women's adult development. Implications for counselors working with women at midlife also are discussed.T he literature on women's adult development would benefit from a more thorough and accurate understanding of midlife transitions because "there is a lack of an integrated body of developmental theory and research from prior studies that is relevant to today's midlife women" (Fodor & Franks, 1990, p. 446). Considering the major studies on adult development at midlife, Gergen (1990) observed that it seems only men survive past the age of 40. In addition, certain myths about phenomena thought to occur for women during midlife, such as the menopausal change of life and the empty-nest syndrome, have little scientific basis (Azar, 1996). Another fundamental problem associated with relating the existing research findings to women today is a growing lack of agreement about how midlife should be defined. For example, does midlife "occur" during the same chronological age range for every woman regardless of her ethnicity, religious orientation, sexual orientation, marital status, employment status, or physiological makeup? Although specific age ranges and physiological changes have been proposed as midlife markers, some researchers have concluded that it is ultimately the individual who defines middle age (Sands & Richardson, 1986). Thus, "when" and "what" defines midlife seems to be quite complex for today's women.Many of the research findings on women at midlife are essentially descriptions of the psychological effects of the transitions women tend to face between 40 and 60 years of age (Barnett & Baruch, 1978;Berkun, 1986;Hunter, 1990;Raup & Myers, 1989). However, it has been difficult to draw conclusions from the findings because of the vast individual differences in women's experiences at midlife.For many women, the middle years represent a wonderful chapter in life's story. They can be a time of enhanced self-esteem and selfacceptance, of gratification at having launched a family, and satisfaction at having fulfilled early career aspirations. . . . For other women, the middle years of 40-60 may be less positive. Children may be refusing to abandon the nest, elderly parents may require time and attention, and long-married partners may have lost their youthful appeal. Work can be drudgery rather than joy, and there may be less vocational success and achievement than one had hoped for. (Leiblum, 1990, p. 495) Attempting to explain these vast differences has driven much of the recen...

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Section: Roles Of Women At Midlifementioning

confidence: 61%

Women at Midlife: Implications for Theories of Women's Adult Development

Lippert

1997

Jour of Counseling & Develop

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“…While the findings in this area are not definitive, much of the recent research has reported beneficial psychological and physical health effects of paid work for women, particularly if they are satisfied with the work (see e.g. Bullers, 1994;Crosby, 1987;Helson, Elliot, & Leigh, 1990;Rodin & Ickovics, 1990;Smith, Shelley, & Dennerstein, 1994).…”

Section: The Strong and Positive Associationmentioning

confidence: 95%

The Relationship of Socio-economic Status, Labor Force Participation, and Health among Men and Women

Ostrove

Adler

1998

J Health Psychol

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Using survey data from an extensive sample of Californians in the United States, we examined the relationship among indicators of socio-economic status (SES) and health for men and women in and out of the paid labor force. In contrast to data reported from the mid-1980s in which correlations among SES variables were stronger among men than among women, correlations among education, income, and occupation were similarly high among women and men. All SES variables were significantly related to health, such that as SES increased, self- reported health status increased. Multiple regression analyses demonstrated an additive effect of labor force participation and SES in predicting health among men, with main effects both of labor force participation and of income and education on health. Among women, there was an interactive effect of these variables, such that the relationship of income and of education to health was more pronounced among women who were not in the paid labor force.

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“…A large body of research indicates that the quality of women's social role involvements has important consequences for their well-being in midlife (Barnett & Baruch, 1985;Baruch & Barnett, 1986;Baruch, Biener & Barnett, 1987;Crosby, 1987;Gerson, 1985;Helson, Elliot, & Leigh, 1990;Reifman, Biernat, & Lange, 1991;Vandewater, Ostrove, & Stewart, 1997). Based upon this literature, we now know that the quality of experiences in roles, rather than the sheer number of role involvements, is more influential for women's well-being in midlife.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 91%

Paths to Late Midlife Well-Being for Women and Men: The Importance of Identity Development and Social Role Quality

Vandewater

Stewart

2006

J Adult Dev

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Theories of adult development suggest that personality development and social role involvements are sources of adult well-being for both men and women. However, previous research on this topic has focused mainly on (a) women, and (b) early stages of adulthood. We tested an alternative model for predicting late-midlife adults' well-being, with role quality, number of roles, and healthy adaptation to late midlife (reflected in lower concern about aging) as mediators of the relationship between young adult identity development and well-being in late midlife. Results indicated that the model fit women's experience very well, and men's experience somewhat. Follow-up analyses indicated that the model fit men's experience with respect to family role quality, but that young adult identity played a lesser role in men's well-being in later midlife, and that problems in the late-midlife work role were reflected in concerns about aging for men, but not for women.

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Number and Quality of Roles: A Longitudinal Personality View

Cited by 46 publications

References 21 publications

Women at Midlife: Implications for Theories of Women's Adult Development

Women at Midlife: Implications for Theories of Women's Adult Development

The Relationship of Socio-economic Status, Labor Force Participation, and Health among Men and Women

Paths to Late Midlife Well-Being for Women and Men: The Importance of Identity Development and Social Role Quality

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