Self-esteem in women: the influence of employment and perception of husband's appraisals.

Abstract

This study examined the influence of five variables on self‐esteem—perceived reflected appraisals of the husband, employment, occupational prestige, husband's preference for his wife's work role and woman's preference for her work role. A random sample of 192 women, aged 25 to 45, married and with children living in the home, was drawn from a suburban resident list. Questionnaires containing Rosenberg's Self‐Esteem Scale and Barrett‐Lennard's Relationship Inventory were mailed to the subjects; 163 (85%) were returned. The results show that the perceived reflected appraisals of the husband was a remarkably strong predictor of self‐esteem for all women but was three times more influential for homemakers than for employed women. Although homemakers and employed women were alike in their self‐esteem, full‐time employed women had significantly higher self‐esteem than did part‐time employed women. Strength of religious beliefs was a positive contributor to the self‐esteem of employed women. The work environment appeared to influence self‐esteem. Nursing interventions to increase self‐esteem in clients are suggested.