Predictors of Well-Being among Pastors' Wives: A Comparison with Nonclergy Wives

Abstract

Reports on research comparing the well-being of women (N = 196) married to parish pastors with that of women (N =205) married to non-clergy. Concludes from the data that women married to pastors report a generally higher state of wellbeing than women married to nonclergy. Notes the factors seemingly responsible for the sense of well-being among clergy wives and points out implications of the data for clinicians and for church judicatory leaders.

Care For Pastors: Learning From Clergy and Their Spouses

“…Stressors reported by wives of male clergy include lack of defined boundaries between family and work, a "fishbowl" existence, inadequate finances, pressure/expectations from congregation and community to fulfill idealized roles, loss of personal identity, loss of control over personal living environment, adjustment to frequent moves, anger, perception of being second class, lack of tangible results of work, loneliness, lack of social support, work related time demands, unwelcome surprises, routine absence of spouse/father, lack of parallel growth, lack of spiritual care, and psychological disturbances (Baker, 1989;Baker & Scott, 1992;Douglas, 1961;Gleason, 1977;Valeriano, 1981). Like their husbands, clergy wives also experience family boundary intrusions to reduce levels of marital and parental satisfaction (Morris & Blanton, 1994b).…”

“…This latter means of coping (self-development) may have changed since the time of Hseih and Rugg's study. Wives of male clergy today are more likely to have more flexible roles than in previous years, to be highly educated, have employment outside the home, and be less depressed and have higher life satisfaction when compared to their nonclergy female peers (Baker & Scott, 1992). Newer trends in role expectations find wives of male clergy often engaged in employment outside the home, which is experienced as personally rewarding (Baker & Scott, 1992).…”

Strategies Employed by Clergy to Prevent and Cope with Interpersonal Isolation

“…The experiences described by these two respondents illustrate the challenge many clergy face regarding high expectations (Baker and Scott 1992). To reveal personal information carries with it the potential risk of evoking criticism from others for not meeting the "different standard" to which pastors are often held.…”

Voice of the Clergy Wife: A Phenomenological Study

“…Additionally, about one third of their participant base of clergy and spouses (n = 401) thought often of leaving the ministry due to the all-consuming nature of the job. From older literature, both Baker and Scott (1992) and Morris and Blanton (1994) found a distinct difference between clergy wives who felt their husbands’ jobs impacted on themselves. For example, the wives who reported less impact of their husbands’ work on the family had higher well-being scores and appeared to have better outside activities and support while the wives who reported greater demands from their husbands’ job had lower well-being scores, higher loneliness and depression scores, and experienced less outside activity and support.…”