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 psychologic al well-being over time. Seventy-five women who occupied the roles of caregiver, mother and wife were assessed twice over a two-month interv al. Caregiver role adequacy predicted greater family cohesion and mari tal satisfaction, wife role adequacy predicted greater family cohesion , and mother role adequacy predicted less negative affect. Findings in dicate that women can gain a sense of self-worth and mastery through c aregiving, and underscore the importance of these role-specific resour ces to women's psychosocial well-being.