SEX-ROLE STRAIN IN ALCOHOLIC WOMEN^*

Abstract

We investigated sources of sex-role strain between alcoholic and non-alcoholic women. We compared alcoholic (n = 55) and non-alcoholic (n = 51) women on the presence of strain in their sex-role identity and strain between sex-role identity, attitudes, and behaviors in 1996. One source of sex-role strain for alcoholic women was the discrepancy between their perceived femininity when intoxicated versus when sober. A second source of strain for alcoholic women was the discrepancy between their traditionally feminine sex-role identity as well as attitudes toward marital, parental, and educational roles and their participation in male-valued activities. We offer suggestions for future research.

• Alcoholism
• Women
• Sex roles
• Role strain