A COMPARISON OF TYPES AND AMOUNT OF STRESS ENCOUNTERED BY DUAL CAREER, DUAL EARNER, AND TRADITIONAL COUPLES

JUDITH JEAN MEAD, Purdue University

Abstract

The primary purpose of this study was to provide descriptive information about dual career couples, to identify factors that seem to cause stress in dual career relationships, to compare stresses of dual career, dual earner, and traditional couples to determine any differences between the three criterion groups and to examine differences between males and females in the areas of relationship stress and adjustment. In December 1981, Spanier's Dyadic Adjustment Scale and the Relationship Stress and Adjustment Survey developed by the researcher were mailed to 400 randomly selected employees of Purdue University and their marital or cohabitive partners. The sample used in the analysis consisted of 272 couples, including 65 dual career, 42 dual earner, and 29 traditional couples, or approximately 34 per cent of the sampled population. The results indicated that time and stress management and sexuality were the most stressful areas for dual career and dual earner couples, and money management caused the most stress in traditional relationships. No difference between male and female viewpoints of relationship stress and adjustment was apparent. Significant differences between couple groups appeared only in the areas of total relationship stress and dyadic consensus. No interaction between gender and group membership was discovered.

Degree

Ph.D.

Subject Area

Educational psychology

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