Date of Conferral

2015

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Psychology

Advisor

Kimberley Cox

Abstract

Role conflict and workplace stress can result in psychological and physical disorders. Research has indicated that societal forces are ingrained concerning how gendered behaviors are manifested in the workplace. However, research has not included women working in male-dominated professions, nor has research examined how stress and role conflict might differ for women in these professions. Understanding the different experiences of women in two distinct professions might illuminate the diversity of experiences in these understudied environments. This quantitative study, based on role-congruity and transactional stress theories, examined and compared women's perceptions of role conflict and stress in 2 male-dominated professions. A cross-sectional survey design was used to collect data on perceived workplace role conflict and workplace stress from female aviators (n = 66) recruited from the Ninety-Nines Association of Professional Aviators and female marketing executives (n = 63) recruited from the Women's Marketers of the Berkshires. ANOVA revealed that female marketers reported higher role conflict on the success, power, and competition and conflicts in family relations subscales than did female aviators. Female aviators reported higher role conflict on the restrictive emotionality and restrictive affectionate behavior subscales than did female marketers. Female aviators perceived greater workplace stress severity whereas female marketers perceived greater workplace stress frequency. Correlations revealed relationships between role conflict and stress for female marketers, but not for female aviators. This research creats greater awareness of role conflict and workplace stress in women. Organizations may use these findings to develop strategies to eliminate the negative ramifications of gender-role conflict and workplace stress on women.

Download

Included in

Psychology Commons

Share

 
COinS