Coping with Role Stress among Indian Women Entrepreneurs and Executives

Abstract

The present study attempts to explore coping with role stress styles among 200 women entrepreneurs and executives. The study is based on eight styles of coping belonging to two modes (approach-avoidance); two dimensions (internality-externality); at two levels (high-low) and two degrees (high-low). The findings indicate that, there is no difference in preference for approach or avoidance mode by entrepreneurs and executives, when compared with each other. Within the group comparison shows a distinct preference for approach mode. Entrepreneurs do not prefer particular styles; executives choose coping styles or modes according to convenience. Both entrepreneurs and executives use high internality and /or externality dimension. Entrepreneurs and executives prefer when coping level is low to depend on outside resources and when level is high tend to rely on self. On degree of coping, both the groups tend to blame outside sources in avoidance mode. In approach mode the entrepreneurs expect help from outside, while executives depend on own self. Correlation between role stress and coping reveals that, entrepreneurs tend to prefer avoidance styles to deal with role stress; while the executive choose to depend on self or joint efforts.