Document Type
Journal Article
Publisher
Public Library of Science
School
School of Medical and Health Sciences
RAS ID
22650
Abstract
Increasingly, women simultaneously balance the roles of mother, parental carer and worker. However, individual role balance strategies among these working 'sandwich' generation women have not been thoroughly explored. Eighteen women combining these three roles were interviewed about their individual role balance strategies. Findings were identified through the framework analysis technique, underpinned by the Model of Juggling Occupations. Achieving and maintaining role balance was explained as a complex process accomplished through a range of strategies. Findings revealed the women used six within-role balance strategies: living with integrity, being the best you can, doing what you love, loving what you do, remembering why and searching for signs of success. The women also described six between-role balance strategies: maintaining health and wellbeing, repressing perfectionism, managing time and energy, releasing responsibility, nurturing social connection and reciprocating. These findings provide a basis for health care providers to understand and potentially support working 'sandwich' generation women.
DOI
10.1371/journal.pone.0157469
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Comments
Evans, K. L., Millsteed, J., Richmond, J. E., Falkmer, M., Falkmer, T., & Girdler, S. J. (2016). Working Sandwich Generation Women Utilize Strategies within and between Roles to Achieve Role Balance. PLoS ONE, 11(6), e0157469.
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0157469