Family life satisfaction and job satisfaction for women in dual-earner marriages and traditional and nontraditional occupations

Date

1989-08-30

Authors

McIntyre, Eleanor Holton

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Abstract

This research examined the relationship between family life satisfaction and job satisfaction of women in dual-earner families . The women were divided into traditional and non-traditional groups based on job status. The Work, Home, Family Questionnaire, a survey assessing respondents' perceptions of their workplace and quality of their home and family life, was mailed to 400 subjects in six economic regions of Texas. The return rate was 36.25 % or 145 questionnaires, 65 in traditional employment and 71 in non-traditional. The mean age for the sample was 39. The educational mean was "some education after high school" and the average income was in th $40,001 to $50,000 range. Multivariate analysis of covariance was performed to analyze differences in scores of family life satisfaction and job satisfaction between the two groups of women. Significant differences were found in the educational level of the two groups . There was also statistical significance in the scores on the family life satisfaction and job satisfaction between women with and without dependents. Respondents indicated relatively high levels of satisfaction with their home and family life and also perceived that home and family life had a positive effec t on work performance. The women reported a generally high level of satisfaction with their work, although slightly lower than their perceived satisfaction with home and family life. A statistically significant difference occurred between the two groups of women when asked about the effect work had on home and family life. While both gave positive responses, the women in non- traditional occupations had the significant, higher score. The multivariate analysis was covaried on the age and family income level of the respondent, but neither variable was statistically significant. Other variable showing no statistical significance included the need for paid child care and the ages of children requiring child care. Women in non-traditional jobs responded that work had a more positive effect on their home life than did those in traditional jobs. Low scores were reported from both groups as to the difficulty of combining work and family responsibilities.

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Keywords

Dual-career families, Job satisfaction, Married women--Employment, Women--Employment, Women--Family relationships

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