role strain

noun

Sociology.

1. the stress or strain experienced by an individual when incompatible behavior, expectations, or obligations are associated with a single social role.

Example Sentences

Single motherhood, said Naomi Torres-Mackie, a clinical psychologist focusing on women’s mental health in New York City, often leads to role strain — the stress that comes when a person cannot fulfill the multitude of responsibilities required by their societal role.

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“Sharing resources is key, and can be an antidote to not just role strain, but social isolation and stigma,” she said.

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“Role strain,” a term coined in 1960 by sociologist William J. Goode, describes what happens when someone’s multiple roles interfere with their performance in others — when long hours of unpaid domestic work make people feel less able to do their paid work, or vice versa.

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According to the APA, something they term “traditional masculinity” is shown to limit “males’ psychological development, constrain their behavior, resulting in gender role strain and gender role conflict, and negatively influence mental and physical health.”

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“Traditional masculinity ideology has been shown to limit males’ psychological development, constrain their behavior, result in gender role strain and gender role conflict and negatively influence mental health and physical health,” the APA report warns.

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