Family structure, job characteristics, rewards and strains as related to work‐role centrality of employed and self‐employed professional women with children

This study of the work‐role centrality (WRC) of 419 professional women with children in Israel was carried out by means of a mailed questionnaire. WRC measures cognitive investments in the work role, relative to the person's other roles. The results show that these women generally are highly work‐centred, autonomous and rewarded, and experience little work overload, but some person‐role conflict on the job. Employment status, job scope, job autonomy and career anchorage, as well as job rewards, especially intrinsic, are strongly related to work‐role centrality. Family characteristics are not related to WRC. Despite their demanding jobs, these women still perform the traditionally feminine tasks in the family, even when husbands are supportive. Employment status is an important intervening variable in the relationship of WRC and other job characteristics.