Dual-earner families: the importance of work stress and family stress for psychological well-being.

Scales of work stress and family stress as well as outcome measures of depression and self-esteem were completed by 94 mothers and 48 fathers in dual-earner families. Working mothers and working fathers reported equivalent levels of family stress, work stress, job-family interference, and psychological well-being, although mothers did report a higher level of lack of task sharing. Self-esteem and depression of dual-earner mothers and fathers were affected by both job and family stress. Insignificance within their work role affected both self-esteem and depression. Lack of task sharing significantly predicted depression among dual-earner mothers. Lack of challenge in their work role appeared to be a positive characteristic for dual-earner fathers.