Women's multiple role stress: testing Neuman's flexible line of defense

Women who are both mothers and students are at high risk for experiencing multiple role stress. In this exploratory study guided by Neuman's conceptual model, the conditions under which role stress develops in these women were examined. Specifically, the moderating capabilities of the psychological and sociocultural variables in the flexible line of defense, psychological role involvement and perceived social support, were investigated. It was found that these two variables interacted to explain role stress only in the presence of the developmental variable, maternal age. Recommendations concerning conceptual and empirical specification of Neuman's model are presented.