An Exploration of the Psycho-sexual Aspects of the Motivation to Avoid Success and its Association with Gender Roles and Work-Family Conflict Using a Mixed Method

Abstract

Aims: The current study attempted to explore how gender roles and work-family conflict contribute to fear of success in urban, married, middle-aged, and working women. Materials and Methods: A mixed method was used in which “gender role,” “work family conflict,” and “fear of success” were measured using the Indian Gender Role Identity Scale, 1 the Work Family Conflict Scale (Carlson et al.), 2 and the Fear of Success Scale (Canavan-Gumpert et.al.), 3 respectively, followed by an interview of 10 voluntary participants for a period of 30 min each. Analysis: A stepwise multiple regression analysis of work-family conflict and gender roles on fear of success was computed as part of the quantitative analysis of the data. Open codes and focus codes were computed as part of the qualitative analysis of the data. Results and Conclusion: The results of quantitative data analysis revealed that both dimensions of “work-family conflict,” i.e., “time-based work to family” and “time based family to work,” are significant predictors of “fear of success” and that there is a significant negative correlation between “masculinity” and “fear of success.” The analysis of qualitative data revealed that the majority of the participants have talked about unpleasant consequences related to success in or being engaged in a formal job. The findings have been discussed in the context of the internalization of societal expectations and implicit coercions in urban, middle-aged, and married working women.