Interrole conflict as a function of life stage, gender, and gender-related personality attributes

The purpose of the present study was to examine the amount and type of interrole conflict experienced by women and men at different life stages. A battery of questionnaires, including a demographic questionnaire, a role conflict scale, and the Bem Sex Role Inventory was administered to 244 married adults. The sample was primarily Caucasian. Overall, the impact of life stage, gender and gender-related personality factors on interrole conflict was differentially influenced by the type of conflict assessed. Both women and men experienced the highest amount of conflict involving parent roles during the peak child-rearing years. In addition, employed men experienced a higher degree of interrole conflict between professional versus self roles than employed women. Married men experienced more spouse versus self role conflict than married women. Finally, instrumentality and interpersonal sensitivity proved to be two important predictors of interrole conflict above and beyond life stage and gender effects. Results are discussed in the context of societal changes towards traditional women and men's roles.