Role‐Management Used by Husbands and Wives In Two‐Earner Families

Abstract

The purposes of this study are to 1–systematically organize and empirically measure the extent to which eight role‐management strategies are used by husbands and wives in career‐ earner and dual‐career families, and 2–determine if there are significant differences in the extent of strategy use between spouses in the same family type as well as across family type. The sample consisted of college and university administrators and their husbands and wives from NASULGC institutions. Factor analysis of responses to role‐management strategy items yielded eight factors. The t‐test procedure was used to determine if differences in strategy usage existed by gender and by family type. Between husbands and wives in career‐ earner families, there was a significant difference in use of the role‐management strategy of Compartmentalization. Between husbands and wives in dual‐career families, there were significant differences in the use of two strategies, Reducing Responsibilities and Organi zation. Significant differences were found between wives in career‐earner and dual‐career families, in the use of three strategies: Compartmentalization, Barriers Against Intrusion, and Reducing Responsibilities.