Multiple roles of women caregivers: Feelings of mastery and self-esteem as predictors of psychosocial well-being

We examined relationships between feelings of mastery and self-esteem in a given role (role adequacy) and caregivers’ social and psychological well-being over lime. Seventy-five women who occupied the roles of caregiver, mother and wife were assessed twice over a two-month interval. Caregiver role adequacy predicted greater family cohesion and marital satisfaction, wife role adequacy predicted greater family cohesion, and mother role adequacy predicted less negative affect Findings indicate that women can gain a sense of self-worth and mastery through care giving, and underscore the importance of these role-specific resources to women’s psychosocial well-being.