Stress and Coping Strategies among Women Breadwinners in Makkah Al-Mukarramah

Abstract

This investigation aimed at exploring the differences between totally and partially women breadwinners in stress and identifying the effect of educational level on stress in women breadwinners. This investigation also aimed at identifying the effect of marital status, monthly income and the interaction of both variables on stress in women breadwinners. The investigation aimed at exploring the most common strategies for coping with stress of women breadwinners in Makkah Al-Mukarramah as well. Research sample consisted of )235( women breadwinners )female teachers, supervisors, and administrators( working in General Directorate of Education in Makkah Al-Mukarramah, selected during the second semester of the academic year 1435- 1436 H, participants responded to scale of women breadwinners stress and stress copying scale. Results of the investigation were as follow: - There are statistically significant differences between the scores means of totally women breadwinners and the scores means of partially women breadwinners on scale of women breadwinners stress )economic stress, psychosomatic stress, Social Stress and total score( in favor of the former. - There are statistically significant differences between women breadwinners having university qualification and those having secondary education in stress (economic stress, and total score( in favor of the later. - There is no significant effect of marital status, monthly income and interaction of both variables on women breadwinners scores on stress scale )economic stress, psychosomatic stress, Social Stress and total score(. - The most common strategies used by women breadwinners for copying with stress are: Religiosity, emotional expression, problem solving, passivity and social withdrawal, social support, leisure and relaxation. The study recommended providing financial support and establishing specialized centers of psychological care for women breadwinners.