Gender-Based Analyses of Stress

Gender-Based Analyses of Stress Among
Professional Managers: An Exploratory
Qualitative Study
Yoshi Iwasaki, Kelly J. MacKay, and Janice Ristock
University of Manitoba

The purpose of this study was to explore the experiences of stress among both female and male managers, using a series of single-sex and mixed focus groups. In addition to substantial similarities between female and male participants’ descriptions about their experiences of stress (e.g., negative and positive aspects of stress, different levels of stress, lack of sleep, pressure, financial stressors, being a manager), a number of important gender differences emerged from their descriptions. These differences can be explained by the way in which gender continues to be socially constructed in society; specifically, there are differing gender role expectations and responsibilities for women and men. Female managers experienced “emotional stress,” primarily because of the pressure to meet expectations of being responsible and caring for people both inside and outside of their home. In contrast, male managers tended to focus on themselves and regard other things as beyond their control or responsibility.
KEY WORDS: gender; stress; managers; profession

Many people in contemporary society feel stressed in their lives.
People experience stress in almost every domain of their lives: work, family, community, and even leisure, where “juggling” diverse demands and multitasks in these domains can be stressful (Aneshensel, 1986; Greenhaus
& Parasuraman, 1999; Hochschild, 1989). The prevalence of stress in peo-

Yoshi Iwasaki and Kelly J. MacKay, Faculty of Physical Education and Recreation
Studies, Health, Leisure & Human Performance Research Institute, University of Manitoba,
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada; Janice Ristock, Department of Women’s Studies, University of
Manitoba.
This research was supported by grants from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada.

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