Occupational Stress and Satisfaction of Professionals in Dual-Earner Families: A Review

Author: Chinmayee Sahoo and Jyotirmayee Udgata

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Abstract

The dual earner families in the contemporary society are increasing day by day. This is a challenge to both the men and women to combine their job and family roles to get better satisfaction in their life. There may be work-family conflict, stress and tension leading to less productivity in both the family and job front. The occupational stress may hamper the familial harmony with lower job and family life satisfaction. At this juncture, it is significant to study the level of satisfaction in family life as well as job and the factors influencing these variables. The purpose of the present study is to review occupational stress and satisfaction among the career men and women in dual-earner families. This study focused on socio-demographic profile of different target groups, assessment of occupational stress by using different qualitative scales, the relationship among occupational stress, job satisfaction, marital satisfaction, the impact of socioeconomic status on job satisfaction, marital satisfaction, and coping strategies adopted by the dual earner families in order to reduce stress. Reviewing various research papers, it was observed that in dual-earner families both men and women were facing high occupational stress and occupational stress has significant relationship with job satisfaction and marital satisfaction.

Keywords

Occupational stress, dual-earner families, job satisfaction, marital satisfaction, coping strategy

Conclusion

The research gap was determined by reviewing about 31 articles from different sources. The result shows that most of the dual earner men and women were in the age group of 30 to 40 years and were experiencing a high-stress level. So, it may be considered that this is a period of expanding stage of family life and we know it is the most challenging phase for both men and women to balance between career and family. Most of the sample men and women lived in the nuclear family. The teachers work longer hours than any other positions which leads to more stress. There is a negative correlation between job satisfaction and marital satisfaction which is caused due to heavy job stress. workplace stress negatively affected marital life as well as work life. There is a high risk of marital dissolution due to the imbalance between work and family life. A significant relationship was found between income and stress and job satisfaction whereas other study shows that job stress was independent to age, income and number of dependants. Another study finds out that there is no significant difference on marital adjustment in relation to age. There is a contradictory statement between various articles so, in the further study we can find out the impact of other socio-demographic variables concerning job satisfaction and marital satisfaction among dual-earner families. Various stress management techniques were found for dual-earners such as flexible working hours, shifting of work, job-sharing management, provision for work from home in some cases, assistance from family members, neighbours, and support from colleagues. Conflict resolution techniques were used to resolve the conflict between men and women. Some of the studies show that family therapy was used to solve the psychological problem of professionals.

References

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How to cite this article

Chinmayee Sahoo and Jyotirmayee Udgata (2023). Occupational Stress and Satisfaction of Professionals in Dual-Earner Families: A Review. Biological Forum – An International Journal, 15(6): 503-507.