A Comparison of Working And Non-Working Women In Terms of Self-Differentiation, Partner Abuse, Conflict Resolution Tactics, Marital Satisfaction And Quality of Life

Aim: The purpose of the study was to compare working and nonworking women with regard to self-differentiation, partner abuse, conflict resolution tactics and the association of these variables with marital satisfaction and quality of life. Method: Using specific inclusion criteria, a sample of 160 women (80 working, and 80 non-working women) were recruited for the study. Data were collected using The Differentiation of Self Inventory-Revised, Partner Abuse Scale—Physical, The Revised Conflict Tactics Scales, Miller Social Intimacy Scale, The Revised Dyadic Adjustment Scale, The Comprehensive Marital Satisfaction Scale and the WHO Quality of Life Scale. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, multivariate analysis of variance, Pearson's correlation coefficients and multiple regression analysis. Results: Findings revealed significant group differences, with working women reporting greater intimacy, adjustment, marital satisfaction and better quality of life and non-working women reporting greater partner abuse, and the use of psychological aggression, physical assault and physical injury to resolve conflicts. Results of regression analysis indicated that emotional cut-off, a component of self-differentiation, accounted for 42.2% and 16.9% of the variance in quality of life among working and non-working women respectively. Among non-working women, physical assault as a conflict resolution tactic accounted for an additional 33% of the variance in quality of life. Findings point to significant differences between working and non-working women. A significant finding was that most women in both groups reported poor adjustment with their spouses, although working women tended to report greater intimacy. Conclusions: It can be concluded that, working women enjoy better quality of life than non-working women who tend to experience greater partner abuse.