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International Journal of Social Psychiatry
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Coping and Subjective Wellbeing in Women with Multiple Roles

Kiran Rao

Department of Clinical Psychology, National Institute of Mental Health & Neuro Science (NIMHANS), Bangalore, India, kiranr{at}nimhans.kar.nic.in

Mridula Apte

Vidyasagar Institute of Mental Health & Neuro Sciences, New Delhi, India

D. K. Subbakrishna

Department of Bio-Statistics, NIMHANS, Bangalore, India

Background: Married, working women experience a considerable amount of strain from their multiple roles. At the same time, studies indicate that they enjoy a high level of wellbeing. While the nature of employment and the level of spousal support have been examined in relation to wellbeing, the role of coping styles has not received much attention.

Aim: To examine the role of work-related factors, availability of support and coping styles as predictors of wellbeing.

Method: Sixty married, working women were individually interviewed with regard to reasons for employment and support availability, and administered the Coping Checklist and Subjective Wellbeing Inventory.

Results: On stepwise multiple regression analysis, greater use of social support seeking and less use of denial as coping styles, absence of multiple role strain, working to be financially independent, availability of support and refusal of job promotion were significant predictors of wellbeing.

Conclusion: In working women with multiple roles, enhancing problem and emotion focused coping by strengthening the use of the support network is important for wellbeing.

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International Journal of Social Psychiatry, Vol. 49, No. 3, 175-184 (2003)
DOI: 10.1177/00207640030493003
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