Multiple role stress and patterns of coping of Egyptian women in clerical jobs
Author: Hattar Pollara M, Meleis AI, Nagib H
Source:
Journal of Transcultural nursing, 14(2), 125-133.
Egyptian women are increasingly becoming a significant work force; however, many
of these women continue to occupy low-income jobs. In the study reported here,
190 women in Egypt employed in clerical jobs were asked about the satisfaction
and stress they experience in their work and maternal roles. They were also asked
about their coping approaches and the demands in their daily lives. The Women's
Role Interview Protocol was used to collect datThe results were analyzed
within the symbolism of the Arab/Egyptian language using thematic and content
analysis. A prevailing theme is the interconnectedness among all women's roles
when describing their stress, satisfaction, and coping. Another major theme that
transcends all roles is the perception of inequality and how it affects their
daily lives. Emergent stressors were grouped under employment role stress,
maternal role stress, marital role stress, and relational role stress. Women
coped through learning to be self-reliant and by using cognitive and
emotion-focused coping approaches. Women's stress was embedded in inequality in
gender roles, and the women are empowered to cope through relying on endurance
and outliving conflict