| Abstract: | Abstract In this study I examine the role of husbands' supportive communication practices in serving to mediate some of the common problems that are often experienced by employed mothers. The problems that are examined in this study are work-family conflict, stress, inequity in the division of labor, and double bind beliefs. Employed mothers completed open-ended narratives of recent work-family conflicts. Wives' perceptions of their husbands' supportive communication practices were examined in the narratives. Either the presence or absence of husbands' concern was related to women's perception of inequity and work-family conflict, while husbands' participation was related to double bind beliefs. Collectively, the husbands' support practices of minimizing child care concerns, avoidance of housework, expressions of concern about housework, and participation in child care accounted for 15% of the variance in women's marital satisfaction. |
