Multiple Role Stress and Patterns of Coping of Egyptian Women in Clerical Jobs

Abstract

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 data. The 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.