Abstract
Most married women who are working may face several challenges in life. These women face conflicting roles as employees, wives, and mothers; all at the same time. Previous studies tend to focus on managing role conflicts, the stress of working mothers, the psychological impact on working mothers, and the impact on children when both parents are working. To a certain extent, these studies are still not comprehensive enough to identify (i) the level of role conflict (ii) how working mothers manage stress and (iii) the mental health level of mothers who struggle to strike a balance between work and family. This paper will present the perceptions of social support and role conflict experienced by working women. This study was conducted quantitatively through questionnaires. A total of 283 women in Klang Valley, Malaysia were selected through purposive sampling. The questionnaire utilizes the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MPSS) and Work-Family Conflict Instrument (WFCI). The results revealed that about 80-90% of the working women agreed they experienced various forms of role conflict that negatively affected their well-being. In terms of social support, respondents admitted they received more support from their families than friends. Respondents’ perceptions of the availability of support are at a satisfactory level. However, they reported high level of role conflict in the family. Most of the times, they need to sacrifice family welfare to fulfill job demands. This situation may lead to intense pressure and mental health issues. Career women in Klang Valley need flexibility in term of working hours. The employers need to be sensitive of the role conflict of female workers who have young children, sick parents, and disabled or special need children. Employers, communities, and governmental agencies may offer support to career women with multiple responsibilities to uplift their psychological well-being.
Highlights
The issue of work and family balance has become an important agenda in governmental and non-governmental organizations
The questionnaire covered demographics, perceptions of social support using a measurement tool developed by Zimet and his colleagues, the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS), and Work-Family Conflict Instrument (WFCI), the measurement of role conflict using a measurement tool developed by the researchers
Study Findings Descriptive analysis was performed on the data to find patterns of agreement on statements related to social support and role conflict
Summary
The issue of work and family balance has become an important agenda in governmental and non-governmental organizations. Balancing responsibilities as an employee and a mother or a wife is the biggest challenge for most working women in Kuala Lumpur (the capital city of Malaysia). Malaysia experiences various demographic, social and economic changes. Changes in these aspects alter the current situation in family life (Lapierre-Adamcyk et al, 2006). These changes have contributed to a shift in gender roles, encouraging more women to participate in the labour market, and further changing the domestic job distribution (Tezli & Gauthier, 2009). Especially Kuala Lumpur, the phenomenon of working women has become a norm. Most of them work in the manufacturing, trade, education, agriculture, and public administration sectors
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