Abstract

The purpose of this dissertation is to positively analyze the relationship between dual-earner couples' role-conflict and psychological distress on the supposition that the one evokes the other, to make an analysis of the effects of dual-earner couples' sex-role identity on the relationship, and to grasp the different aspects between the couple caused by the relationship. Two hundred and sixty-five couples, who teach at elementary, middle and high schools located in Kwangju City and Chollanam-do, took part in the study, and SPSS was employed to analyze the data. According to the results of this study, dual-earner couples are strongly influenced upon psychological distress due to the conflicts caused by performing both family-roles and job-roles at the same time, and there is almost no difference between men and women in the effect of role-conflicts upon psychological distress. The methods of intervention should be based on the interaction of multi-role conflicts and moderating factors. There were differences between husbands and wives in the moderating effects. The wives with distinctive femininity experienced less depression and anxiety by lessening their job-role conflicts. It suggests that in Korea, where traditional sex-roles based on a patriarchal system affect job-roles in general, emotional, expressive, empathetic, mild, tender, and cooperative women with high femininity will go through fewer conflicts and make easier adaptations to their lives.