Multiple roles of women and role strains.

Women are likely to experience multiple roles, often several at the same time, for which different sets of responsibilities are designated. Expectations that others have of us in any one of our roles may differ from our own, and conflict with our goals as individuals. The multiplicity and overlapping of roles often provoke conflict and stress. Depending on a number of variables, growth of the individual is either impeded or promoted. Vignettes of women experiencing overlapping roles, at various stages of the life cycle, are cited to illustrate the complexities of the issues and coping styles.