Life stress, life-styles, depression, and illness in adult women.

The relationships between life stress and depression and physical illness were investigated in a sample of 122 normal adult women. Results indicated that life stress was associated with both illness and depression in this sample but that both type of stress and life-style were important moderators of these relationships. Thus, work stresses were associated with illness (not depression), and the relationship between life stress and illness was strongest among work-centered women. Family stresses were associated with depression (not illness), and the relationship between life stress and depression was strongest among housewives. Implications for sex role definitions are discussed.