Self-complexity and stress in an opposite-sex dominated workplace

Date
2021-12
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University
Abstract
ENGLISH SUMMARY : The epidemic of equal gender representation in the workplace remains a current and evasive issue in the modern workplace and society at large. Female workers have long since fought the labour battle for equal pay, representation, opportunities and benefits, and it is an ongoing battle with no major strides made in recent years. This leaves the female minority gender group in the prolonged position of being “token” representatives for their gender group. Accordingly, more investigations, research and interventions are required to shine the spotlight on this modern and ongoing labour issue. This study therefore set out to investigate a particular element of the gender minority experience and looks at whether greater self-complexity could act as a protective factor for women working in male-dominated workplaces who are under unique stress and at risk for potential burnout as a result of the token stressors and role conflicts that manifest through daily events and are therefore present in their daily lives. The sample group that was used was female engineers across the engineering industry and field. Measuring and analysing the correlations between their Role Conflict, Token Stressors, Self-Complexity and Burnout levels. The hypothesis set out to prove that; (a) Self-Complexity can buffer against Burnout for those experiencing high levels of Token Stressors, and (b) Self-Complexity can buffer against Burnout for those experiencing high levels of Role Conflict. The theoretical foundation of Self-Complexity drew heavily from the research work of Patricia Linville on this area. The results of this study indicated that Token Stressors, Role Conflict and Self-Complexity have statistically significant relationships with Burnout and contribute jointly towards the explanation of it. Moreover, Self-Complexity was found to have a buffering effect on Burnout for those experiencing high Token Stressors. This study was however not able to statistically prove that Self-Complexity moderates the relationship between Burnout and Role Conflict. Furthermore, results also indicate a somewhat unexpected positive correlation between Self-Complexity and Burnout, in that Self-Complexity in and of itself without the presence of Token Stressors or Role conflict. In other words, that higher Self-Complexity may be associated with higher Burnout. Through this analysis and observation of the potential moderating effect that Self-Complexity may have on Burnout in the presence of factors such as Token Stressors and Role conflict, the importance of the conceptualisation and measurement of such a complicated concept as Self-Complixity is highlighted. Furthermore, the potential interventions that could be implemented to improve the well-being of gender token employees in opposite-sex dominated workplaces is significant and worthy further investigation.
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Description
Thesis (MCom)--Stellenbosch University, 2021.
Keywords
Women employees -- Psychological aspects, Burn out (Psychology), Self-perception, Gender identity in the workplace, Work-life balance -- Sex differences, Job stress -- Sex differences, UCTD
Citation