Distressing Aspects of Women's Roles, Vicarious Stress, and Health Consequences

Abstract

Individuals internalize the roles they play and the statuses they occupy in their social networks. It logically follows that the benefits and costs of women's role commitments may be critically important to their physical and mental health. This literature review focuses on distressing or negative aspects of enacting the specific primary roles of workel wife, and mother. Vicarious stress and inadequate social support for women in these roles may contribute to immuno suppression and disease vulnerability. Some women may choose the sick role as a means of escape from taxing role responsibilities. Future directions for women's health research are suggested, along with adoption of an empowerment model of health.